Alleged Meat Fork Attack in Niederwölz: 66-Year-Old in Life-Threatening Condition

How the 68-year-old apparently attacked his partner with a meat fork is now the subject of the investigation. The meat fork was secured by investigators at the scene and is now being examined by forensic experts.

Escape Over the Balcony

The scenes unfolded on the balcony of a multi-party residential building. „Direkt nach der Tat und dem Einschreiten der Nachbarn flüchtete der Verdächtige über das Balkongeländer. Er sprang rund fünf Meter in die Tiefe und prallte auf dem harten Asphaltboden auf, wobei er die schweren Verletzungen erlitt“, police said.

Investigations and Legal Classification

The background to the crime remains unclear, according to police. Authorities secured evidence at the scene and launched an investigation. The 68-year-old is being investigated on suspicion of attempted homicide, as the Styrian State Police Directorate announced.

Support Services for Those Affected

In Austria, women experiencing violence can find help and information, among others, at the following addresses: Frauenhelpline: online at frauenhelpline.at and by phone at 0800-222-555; Association of Autonomous Austrian Women's Shelters (AÖF) at aoef.at; Women's Shelter Emergency Line at 057722; Violence Protection Centers at 0800/700-217; and the Police Emergency Line 133. „Frauenhelpline gegen Gewalt: 0800 222 555 (24/7, kostenlos, anonym) für Frauen und Mädchen“, according to police.

Help is also offered by Telefonseelsorge (Crisis Helpline) at 142. „Die Telefonseelsorge bietet ein kostenloses, vertrauliches und an 365 Tagen im Jahr rund um die Uhr erreichbares Beratungsangebot“. „Du kannst die Telefonseelsorge auch online kontaktieren“.

People with suicidal thoughts and their relatives can also turn to the Federal Ministry of Health's suicide prevention portal. Authorities and support services urge those in acute situations to call the Police Emergency Line 133 immediately.