After the discovery of a dead man in the water of the New Danube in Vienna-Floridsdorf a week ago, the Vienna State Police Directorate announced on Wednesday the arrest of a 42-year-old Polish national as a suspect. From the outset, investigators assumed it was a violent crime. This was confirmed by an autopsy, which revealed signs of blunt force trauma to the victim’s head.
Prior to this, drag marks along the riverbank near the discovery site at the Nordbahn Bridge had already reinforced police suspicions. In the meantime, the State Criminal Police Office was able to establish the victim’s identity. He was a 37-year-old man from the homeless community. Investigations in this environment eventually led to the suspect’s arrest.
During questioning, the 42-year-old did not confess and was transferred to a correctional facility on the order of the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office. No further details on the case have yet been released. Police spokesman Markus Dittrich pointed to the ongoing investigation. One unresolved matter remains the time of death of the 37-year-old. After the discovery, authorities assumed that the man may have been in the water for some time.
