Authorities in Austria are investigating the death of a 39-year-old woman following allegations that her husband drugged and sexually abused her and may have involved other men. The woman died at her home in Marchtrenk, near Wels, in northern Austria, in June. Her husband and another man are now in custody as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding her death.
Woman Found Seriously Injured at Austrian Home
The case came to light on June 26, when emergency responders found the woman severely injured and bleeding at her home in Marchtrenk. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her 51-year-old husband reportedly told police that her death resulted from an accident during rough sex. However, preliminary autopsy findings raised serious questions about that explanation.
Investigators found multiple blunt force injuries to the woman’s abdomen and genital area. Authorities also said she was extremely intoxicated and in a defenseless condition when the incident occurred.
Prosecutors have stated that the injuries indicate violence. The findings have led authorities to investigate whether the woman’s death was connected to alleged sexual abuse rather than an accidental incident.
Husband and Neighbor Remain in Custody
The woman’s husband, who is also 51, has been taken into custody along with another man of the same age. The second man is reportedly a neighbor who allegedly admitted to sexually abusing the woman on the night she died.
Authorities are investigating the husband’s alleged involvement in the abuse of a person who was defenseless or impaired, resulting in death. If convicted of the current charge, he could face a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years or life imprisonment.
Prosecutors are also considering whether additional charges, including murder, could be brought depending on the outcome of the investigation.
The second man is not currently being investigated in connection with the woman’s death, according to prosecutors.
Police Investigate Possible Wider Abuse Network
The case has attracted attention in Austria because of allegations that other men may have been invited to sexually abuse the woman. Investigators are examining whether the incident could be connected to a wider network of sexual violence.
Local media have referred to the case as “Pelicot 2.0,” drawing a comparison to the high-profile French case involving Dominique Pelicot. In that case, Pelicot was convicted in 2024 alongside 50 other defendants after his wife was drugged and sexually abused by multiple men over several years.
The Austrian investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are working to establish what happened before the woman’s death, whether other individuals were involved and whether further criminal charges are warranted.
The identities of the woman, her husband and the second man have not been publicly disclosed by authorities.
