A 14-year-old girl stabs a 64-year-old woman to death in Baumgart Cemetery
A 14-year-old girl is in custody after allegedly stabbing a 64-year-old woman to death at Baumgarten Cemetery. The victim, a complete stranger, suffered at least five stab wounds to the head and neck. Authorities detained the girl on Thursday afternoon over concerns she might reoffend.
The teenager is being held in the Grey House, Austria’s largest prison, under 24-hour video surveillance in solitary confinement. This follows prior self-harm incidents; she reportedly frequently cut herself. Fellow inmates and guards describe her as largely apathetic. According to Kronen Zeitung, immediately after the attack, she only asked the undertaker for a cigarette, and in calmer moments repeatedly asks, “Why am I here?”
Reports indicate the girl may have been heavily medicated on the day of the attack, having taken multiple doses of prescription tranquilizers for anxiety and panic disorders. The stabbing reportedly occurred shortly afterward among the graves.
Born in Vienna to a family of Kurdish descent, the girl lost her father, a former taxi company owner who had fled Iraq, several years ago. Her mother is said to have struggled caring for three children, including the youngest, who has psychological issues.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the attack while maintaining strict security around the teenager. Support hotlines remain available for those affected by violence, with authorities emphasizing the importance of psychological care for both victims and young offenders.