Body in a bag: Hotel receptionist confesses to a horrific murder
A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after confessing to the murder of 59-year-old businessman Christian S. in Vienna. The case, which shocked Austria earlier this year, became known as the "bag body" after the victim's body was found stuffed inside a bag left on a street in the Favoriten district.
According to the public prosecutor's office, the accused Hamza E. lured the victim to an apartment he rented through "Airbnb" on February 26, 2025. The two had met at a hotel in the Döbling area, where the accused worked as a receptionist while the victim was a regular guest. The prosecutor's office clarified that the motive was financial, as the victim lent the accused an amount of 15,000 euros that he could not repay due to other debts.
During the assault, Hamza E. strangled Christian S. using a plastic strap. Two days later, the body was found inside a bag on Kuehlenstrasse street in the Favoriten district. Investigators believe that the suspect had planned to transport the body to another location, but he backed out after finding that the bag was too heavy.
In front of the court, Hamza E. made a full confession, confirming that what the prosecution mentioned is true. His lawyer stated that this does not make him more sympathetic, but it showed "courage and integrity" in confessing to the crime. The judges described the murder as "sneaky" and leading to "extremely painful death."
The 20-year prison sentence has not yet become final, but the confession has closed a chapter in a case that attracted widespread interest in the Austrian media. The heinousness of the crime, coupled with the bizarre way the body was found inside a bag on a busy street, left a deep impression on public opinion.