After eight years

Jenni S.’s killer goes on trial after eight years

Clemens T. was sentenced to life in prison.(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

At the very least, this marks the conclusion—in criminal terms—of a harrowing and gruesome case. Clemens T. is alleged to have strangled his ex-girlfriend on January 22, 2018, and buried her in the woods. Eight and a half years later, he has now confessed: “I am guilty of the murder of Jenni S.” And for that, he faces life in prison—though the verdict is not yet final!

It has now been eight and a half years since Jenni S. disappeared without a trace from her apartment in Vienna’s Brigittenau district. A horrific and emotionally charged case that is now set to come to a close at the Vienna Regional Court—in a murder trial against Clemens T. On January 22, he is alleged to have strangled the then 21-year-old and buried her at a military training area in Lower Austria. 

Clemens T. confesses in court: “I plead fully guilty.”(Bild: Alexander Bischofberger-Mahr, Krone KREATIV)

Confession after eight and a half years
And after eight and a half years, the 33-year-old admits before the jury, numerous media representatives, and the victim’s family: “I plead fully guilty.” – “To what exactly?” the presiding judge asks for clarification. Clemens T. stammers quietly: “To the murder of Jenni S.”

He cold-bloodedly strangled Jenni because he couldn’t bear the thought of her leaving him.

Staatsanwältin im Mordprozess

“For him, love is synonymous with power,” said the prosecutor. The self-employed landscape gardener and the 21-year-old had been in a relationship since 2017. “He started becoming clingy and forbidding her from doing things.” On January 22: “She said she didn’t want the relationship anymore and that he should get out of the apartment. The defendant couldn’t accept her decision. He strangled Jenni in cold blood because he couldn’t bear the thought of her leaving him,” the prosecutor said. 

Refusal to Accept the Breakup
For years, Jenni S. remained undiscovered. It was only through the efforts of her family—especially her mother—that the 33-year-old was finally convicted in late 2025. In the state court, he revealed his twisted perspective: “It was as if the floor had been pulled out from under my feet,” he said, referring to January 22, 2018. “I couldn’t cope with her disappearing from my life.” At the same time, he maintained contact with other women throughout the entire relationship: “For me, one woman just wasn’t enough.”

Jenni S. and Clemens T. – before the unimaginable act of violence(Bild: Martina Prewein, Andi Schiel)

In a monotonous voice, Clemens T. says: “Then, on that day, I strangled her.” For minutes, he clasped her neck and squeezed—“I was so enraged. At that point, I still didn’t know if she was dead or unconscious.” —Jenni S. was already dead. “I tried to feel her pulse, but all I could feel was my own.” He then transported her body in a box to the first hiding place; after a few weeks, to the military training area. 

Defense attorney: “He’s relieved”
His behavior after the crime is also deeply disturbing. Not only did Clemens T. live a lie for eight years, but he messaged the next woman on social media just hours after Jenni’s death. In the days that followed, the number of women kept growing. His defense attorney, Astrid Wagner, however, says: “He’s not a cold-blooded guy. He’s not a cold-blooded killer. He’s relieved that this has been cleared up. It was truly terrible for him, too.” Even though for years he had the power to give the family closure...

And the 33-year-old’s final words at his murder trial are also disconcerting: “Jenni was truly a wonderful person. I played God in January. I took someone’s life because I’m just struggling with personal problems.” Clemens T. wallows in self-pity: “It’s sad that this happened to me.” And he seems to completely forget that Jenni S. is the victim here...

“Maximum Possible Sentence”
In the early afternoon, this horrific case at least reaches a conclusion in the criminal justice system: “Anyone who cannot accept that a woman is breaking up with him or wants to live her life without him must expect the highest possible sentence available under our constitutional state,” the prosecutor demands. And the jury agrees with her. Clemens T. is sentenced to life in prison and will be placed in a forensic-therapeutic center. The verdict is not yet final.