Woman had emergency surgery

Attempted murder at the cemetery: victim not yet questioned

The police combed the Leonhard cemetery for clues on Thursday(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

A stranger stabbed a 73-year-old woman at the Leonhard cemetery in Graz on Wednesday afternoon - she had to undergo emergency surgery and her life was in danger. The police are now receiving more and more tips.

This act caused horror on Thursday: a woman, 73 years old, was attacked with a knife by a stranger at her husband's grave. The woman suffered life-threatening injuries at the Leonhard cemetery. She had to undergo emergency surgery. According to the police, her condition was stable on Friday morning. "However, she is not yet responsive and could not yet be questioned," explains police spokesman Heimo Kohlbacher.

The seriously injured woman is not only the victim in the case, but also the most important witness. "The clues we have are limited to what the woman said to the two passers-by who found her," Kohlbacher recalls. The broken blade of a Stanley knife was found at the crime scene.

The grave at the Leonhard cemetery on Thursday(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Due to the media coverage, the State Office of Criminal Investigation is now constantly receiving tips. Not all of them are useful. "All tips are being checked by the detectives. The meticulous investigative work is ongoing."

"Cruel, ominous case"
The big question mark remains the why. The police assume that she was a random victim - a conclusion that could change quickly if more details come to light. "This is a cruel, ominous case," says Kohlbacher. However, there are no indications that there is any danger to the general public.