Court extends pretrial detention in Villach woman’s killing

Pretrial detention has been extended until at least October 12 for a 39-year-old Villach man suspected of killing a 28-year-old woman, ORF reported.

The woman died after an attack under Villach’s city bridge on August 21. Emergency services found her unresponsive, and an autopsy ordered because the cause of death was initially unclear indicated a suspected homicide.

Investigators allege that the man, who was in a relationship with the woman, had been drinking with her and other people under the bridge. Responding officers described the group as belonging to an alcohol-related milieu. Investigators believe he may have fatally injured the woman with a kick or a blow.

The suspect has denied intending to kill her and has described the incident as an accident. He is being investigated on suspicion of murder, Christian Liebhauser-Karl, a spokesman for the Klagenfurt regional court, told the APA.