Trial in Salzburg: 86-year-old woman charged with attempted murder of her severely disabled daughter

The presiding judge commissioned a psychiatric expert to evaluate the accused. Among other things, the question of whether the 86-year-old had diminished criminal responsibility at the time of the offense is to be examined. A verdict is not expected before the end of the week.

Family divided

According to information from the proceedings, the daughter's family is divided. While one son of the accused reportedly described the caregiving burden borne by his mother as unbearable and expressed understanding for her act, another son distanced himself from the allegations against his mother and placed himself protectively in front of his sister.

The background to the charges is apparently the years-long care of the severely disabled daughter, who according to media reports had most recently been housed at the Wilhelmshöhe special hospital. The public prosecutor's office accuses the accused of having acted out of her own convictions and without the knowledge of other family members.

The Salzburg Regional Court convicted an 86-year-old Salzburg man of attempted murder in a comparable case as recently as March of this year. The man had attempted to kill his 85-year-old bedridden and severely demented wife with Halcion, also in August 2025. Both survived.

Parallel to earlier proceedings

The current case thus shows parallels to that verdict, but at the same time raises specific questions: Was the accused acting in order to relieve her daughter of further suffering in accordance with her daughter's will? Or did she act out of desperation over the caregiving situation? The answer could also be decisive for the sentencing.

Possible consequences

In the event of a conviction for attempted murder, the accused faces a multi-year prison sentence. However, should the court establish diminished criminal responsibility, the sentence could be significantly reduced. The hearing will continue in closed session as soon as the expert reports have been prepared.

The Wilhelmshöhe special hospital, where the daughter was most recently being cared for, has not publicly commented on the case so far. The responsible guardianship judges are also expected to be heard again in the further course of the proceedings.

The public prosecutor's office announced that care documentation and medical records would also be presented during the taking of evidence. These are intended to clarify the state of health the daughter was in at the time of the offense and what burdens the care represented for the family.