Styrian woman (34) is dead

“Johanna case”: Cobra officer confesses!

Cobra officer Manuel M. (right in the picture) made a partial confession on Tuesday.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Christian Jauschowetz, zVg)

It is now sadly certain: Johanna G., who had been missing since Friday, is dead. Cobra officer Manuel M. has confessed to killing the 34-year-old Styrian woman – but according to his statement, it was an accident. The body was finally found on the suspect's parents' property in southeastern Styria.

Since Friday, family and friends had been fearing for the life of their "Hanni," as they affectionately called the 34-year-old Styrian woman. They searched everywhere for the fitness trainer, who loved running in nature, hiking, traveling, and ice swimming. 

Just a few months ago, the 34-year-old moved to tranquil Tillmitsch after a breakup. She had previously lived with her then-boyfriend in Deutschlandsberg. "I knew her by sight when she registered with the municipality," Mayor Walter Novak told the "Krone" newspaper. He was there when the door was opened, but the search to see if the Styrian woman was in the apartment was unsuccessful: "It's crazy what the family is going through right now," he said, expressing deep sympathy for those affected and saying he would not give up hope and the search for her.

Cobra officer Manuel M. made a confession on Tuesday.(Bild: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK / APA / picturedesk.com ; zVg ; Krone Kreativ)

Cobra officer Manuel M. (right in the picture) made a partial confession on Tuesday.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Christian Jauschowetz, zVg)

But on Tuesday afternoon, the worst fears were confirmed: as in the similar case of Graz influencer Stefi P., who was recently killed by her ex-boyfriend, all hope of finding a sign of life is gone. Because, as the "Krone" learned on Tuesday afternoon, Johanna G. is also dead. 

Stolen service weapons seized
Johanna G. and Manuel M. are said to have met via a dating app despite the suspect being in a relationship. After she was reported missing, suspicion quickly fell on the 30-year-old. He was arrested on Monday for making contradictory statements after initially denying that he had met with the missing woman. Messages from a friend of the woman put the elite police officer in a difficult position, and he admitted that he had met with Johanna G. on the evening in question. Matching location data from both cell phones confirmed this meeting. During a house search, investigators also seized two stolen service weapons: a Glock TFX (a training pistol) at the Cobra location in Wiener Neustadt and a service weapon from the Halbenrain police station in 2019. A weapons ban was imposed on the 30-year-old.

Suspect speaks of "accident"
The noose tightened around the 30-year-old. He finally confessed to killing the woman, but claims it was an accident. Despite a planned discussion, consensual sex took place in his car. This was because "Hanni" was allegedly pregnant with his child. According to his statement, she suffocated during "choking games." He then buried her in a hole.

Investigators announce press conference
According to Styrian investigators, the body was discovered on Tuesday afternoon at the location named by the suspect—in a wooded area on the man's parents' property in southeastern Styria. In the evening, forensic investigators began collecting evidence at the site, and a final autopsy of the woman is still pending. According to the police, the suspect's interrogation is expected to continue into the night. Investigators announced a press conference with further details for Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.