Attempted murder

34-Year-Old Stabs Caregiver in Lienz

The violent incident occurred in Lienz, East Tyrol.(Bild: Dorian Wiedergut)

A 52-year-old woman narrowly escaped death on Friday in Lienz: An Austrian man (34) whom she was caring for pulled out a knife during an argument and stabbed the woman multiple times. She sustained life-threatening injuries.

According to police, the incident occurred around 11 a.m. in the suspect’s apartment. The 34-year-old local resident has a history of mental illness, lives alone, and receives regular care. On Friday, an argument likely broke out between him and the 52-year-old caregiver; it may have been about food, explained State Criminal Police Office (LKA) Chief Katja Tersch to the “Krone.” 

Brave witness rushed to help
During the altercation, the man grabbed a knife and, according to police, stabbed the woman several times in the upper body. The woman cried out for help, which alerted a witness. “She was eventually able to knock the knife out of the suspect’s hand and call for emergency services,” investigators said.

The 52-year-old victim had to undergo emergency surgery. She is now out of danger.

Die Polizei in einer Aussendung

Victim undergoes emergency surgery, suspect confesses
The 52-year-old woman, who suffered life-threatening injuries, was taken to Lienz District Hospital and underwent emergency surgery there. She is now out of danger, though she has not yet been able to be questioned about the incident. Further details were therefore still unclear for the time being, as Tersch explained.

The suspect was questioned on Saturday and, according to law enforcement, confessed to the crime. On the orders of the district attorney’s office, he was transferred to the Innsbruck correctional facility. Police are investigating the case as attempted murder.