Authorities in Innsbruck, western Austria, discovered the bodies of a 34-year-old Syrian woman and her 10-year-old daughter in freezers within an apartment. The remains were found on November 10, after the two had been reported missing for several months. The freezers were concealed behind a drywall partition in the residence.
Two men, aged 55 and 53, were arrested in June in connection with the case. The elder brother, who was a colleague of the woman, claimed there had been an accident but denied any involvement in murder. The public prosecutor’s office indicated that the men are being held on strong suspicion of murder.
The police investigation into the disappearance began after the woman’s cousin reported her missing on July 25, 2024. Initially, the woman’s colleague suggested that she had gone on an extended trip with her daughter to visit family in Turkey. Financial records indicated that her bank card was used abroad a few times, but investigators later found her mobile phone at her home. Witnesses reported hearing loud noises and cries on the day of their presumed disappearance.
Additional findings revealed that a storage unit had been rented prior to the disappearance, where a freezer was subsequently relocated by the suspects. This led authorities to suspect premeditated actions involved in the case. The exact cause of death remains undetermined due to the state of the bodies.
Both suspects are currently in custody, with one admitting to covering up the situation while denying any intent to kill. They are being held separately in different prisons. Austrian officials have expressed concerns regarding the broader implications of the case regarding violence against women.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c740290l8gzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss