Separated Husband Arrested After Woman Found Dead with Stab and Gunshot Wounds in Lower Austria Sooß, Lower Austria, April 6, 2026

A 38-year-old woman was found dead with stab and gunshot wounds in a garden in Sooß, Lower Austria, on Sunday evening, with her 47-year-old estranged husband suspected of the crime and now in custody.

## Suspect in Custody as Investigation Continues The woman’s husband, from whom she was separated, was arrested shortly after the discovery of her body. Authorities have not released his name, citing ongoing investigations. A 9mm pistol was seized as a possible weapon in connection with the case, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Erich Habitzl from the Wiener Neustadt public prosecutor’s office confirmed the incident on Monday, though no further details about the suspect’s motive or the circumstances leading to the attack were disclosed. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of violence against women in Austria, though officials have not yet classified the killing as a femicide.

## Autopsy Ordered to Determine Cause of Death An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, as the victim sustained both stab and gunshot wounds. The results are expected to provide critical evidence for the ongoing investigation.

The small village of Sooß, located in the Bezirk Baden district, has been shaken by the incident. Local authorities have increased patrols in the area, though they emphasize there is no ongoing threat to the public given the suspect’s arrest.

The case remains under the jurisdiction of the Wiener Neustadt public prosecutor’s office, which is coordinating with regional police. No additional suspects are being sought at this time.

## Broader Context of Domestic Violence Cases While the investigation is still in its early stages, the case has sparked discussions about domestic violence in Austria. The country has seen several high-profile cases in recent years, prompting calls for stronger protections for victims of abuse.

Authorities have not confirmed whether the victim had previously reported threats or violence from her estranged husband. However, the seizure of the firearm raises questions about how the suspect obtained the weapon and whether existing safeguards failed to prevent the tragedy.

The public prosecutor’s office has urged anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation proceeds. Meanwhile, the victim’s family has requested privacy as they grieve.