A 21-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years in prison in Vienna on Monday for the murder of his girlfriend. The incident occurred in February in a Leopoldstadt apartment the couple had rented via Airbnb for drugs and sex. The woman, a 47-year-old he had met during psychiatric treatment, was beaten to death while the man was under the influence of multiple substances.
Tourists staying in the apartment across the hall witnessed the brutal attack. They called police after seeing the man drag the woman into the apartment and hearing loud banging noises. Officers arrived too late to save the woman, who had suffered fatal head injuries. A video recorded by the tourists was shown in court.
Murder During Temporary Leave from Psychiatric Hospital
The attacker had been granted a temporary leave from a psychiatric hospital earlier that day. Diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and suffering from severe drug addiction since the age of 17, he had a long history of psychiatric issues. He claimed to have blacked out during the attack and could not recall details of the incident. He admitted guilt, repeatedly stating, “I am a murderer.”
Airbnb Meeting Ends in Fatal Beating
The woman had booked the apartment in Vienna’s Prater area for a private meeting. After using amphetamines and cocaine, a dispute escalated into violence. The court heard that the man had previously resisted a romantic relationship with the much older woman. He told the jury he could not understand what triggered the attack: “Someone is dead, and there was no good reason.”
Psychiatric Report: Less Than 5% Chance of Recovery
According to psychiatric expert Peter Hofmann, the man was criminally responsible at the time of the attack but suffered from a dual diagnosis: a serious personality disorder and addiction. The expert noted a high risk of reoffending and a low chance of long-term sobriety. Due to the threat of future violent offenses, the man will also be committed to a forensic psychiatric facility for treatment. The verdict is not yet final.
