Is she still alive?

For 18 years: Criminal mystery surrounding Carinthian woman

In January 2011, the police searched for the missing Michaela Grabner in Klagenfurt with cadaver sniffer dogs.(Bild: Kronen Zeitung Krone KREATIV,)

A child in Klagenfurt found the e-card of Michaela Grabner, who disappeared without trace in 2006. Is she still alive?

Is there a surprising twist in the case of the missing woman from Klagenfurt? The then 23-year-old suddenly disappeared in February 2006.

Michaela Grabner has been missing since 2006.(Bild: KRONEN ZEITUNG)

Now, 18 years later, a new clue has emerged. A child had seen a handbag floating in the water while playing on the Glan in Klagenfurt on 9 March and fished it out. It contained a purse and an e-card made out in the name of Michaela Grabner.

Investigation resumed
The child brought her find to her parents, who researched it on the Internet and finally called the police. Once the officers had verified that it was the missing person's document, the investigation was immediately resumed.

Trace followed as far as Paraguay
Criminal investigators had previously assumed that the Klagenfurt woman had been the victim of a homicide. Her trail was even followed as far as Paraguay, where Carinthian investigators arrested a suspect who is believed to be responsible for the missing woman's death. However, the suspect has denied all accusations.

It is still not clear whether the missing woman was actually the victim of a crime. In January 2011, even cadaver dogs searched for her in the south of Klagenfurt - but without any results.