Autopsy finds severe head injuries in Graz woman’s death

A 24-year-old woman who was killed in central Graz on Thursday died from severe head injuries, ORF reported Saturday, citing the Graz Public Prosecutor’s Office. The autopsy found “massive violence against the head”.

The woman was killed around midday in an apartment. Police arrested a 23-year-old suspect shortly afterwards in the building’s stairwell. He is the brother of the woman’s partner, who lived with her in the apartment.

The suspect was questioned on Saturday, when a decision was also expected on whether he would be held in pre-trial detention. During earlier questioning, he provided no information about the allegations. Authorities have not released an official motive.

Investigators have not disclosed the suspected murder weapon. Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Christian Kroschl declined to comment on media reports concerning it.

Police were alerted to a violent incident in the apartment at about 12.40 p.m. on Thursday. Officers found the woman critically injured, and she died at the scene. Investigators from the Styrian State Criminal Police Office secured evidence to reconstruct what happened.

According to the current investigation, the woman was apparently alone when the suspect allegedly forced his way into the apartment. The suspect was placed in the Graz-Jakomini correctional facility on Friday on the orders of the prosecutor’s office. He is being investigated on suspicion of murder.

People in crisis in Austria can contact the Frauenhelpline at 0800 222555, the telephone counselling service at 142, or the police at 133. The Styrian women’s shelters can be reached at 0800 202017.