Money Woes Spark Austrian Killing Spree

Man Says He Axed His Family To Spare Them The Shame Of Financial Ruin

(AP)  Investigators discovered the bodies of five people Wednesday after a man turned up at a police station and calmly explained that he had killed his family to spare them the shame of his financial ruin, authorities said.

Officers found the bodies of the man's wife and 7-year-old daughter at the family's home in an affluent part of Vienna. Both had been bludgeoned by an ax, police said. The bodies of his parents and father-in-law later were found at their homes in Upper Austria province.

The 39-year-old man, a self-employed public relations consultant, told police he wanted to spare his family the shame of financial ruin caused through speculative financial dealings, criminal investigator Thomas Stecher said at a news conference.

Police said he started by killing his 42-year-old wife, who worked at the Finance Ministry, and daughter early Tuesday morning. His daughter's body was found in a walk-in closet and the wife in a bathroom, both draped with cloth, authorities said.

He then said he drove to Ansfelden in Upper Austria province, where he beat his parents - ages 72 and 69 - to death, police said. He told officers he went to Linz to kill his 80-year-old father-in-law in the evening.

"He is completely matter of fact ... almost without emotion," Stecher said.

The suspect, now undergoing further questioning in Vienna, indicated he had "massive money problems," Stecher said, saying he had borrowed money from family members. The total in question was a six-figure euro amount, he said.

Police were awaiting autopsy results to determine exactly how the victims died. Letters were found beside the bodies in Upper Austria, police said, declining to provide more details about their content.

He could face life in prison if charged and convicted for the killings, said Gerhard Jarosch, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

[keithle1]

Better dead than broke.

[whatinthewld]

Austrians are no different than North Americans. In fact, I don''t think he stopped to pee on his victims.

I''d much rather live in any city in Austria than live on 117th street.

[whatinthewld]

Austrians are no different than North Americans. In fact, I don''t think he stopped to pee on his victims.

I''d much rather live in any city in Austria than live on 117th street.

[whatinthewld]

Austrians are no different than North Americans. In fact, I don''t think he stopped to pee on his victims.

I''d much rather live in any city in Austria than live on 117th street.

[whatinthewld]

Austrians are no different than North Americans. In fact, I don''t think he stopped to pee on his victims.

I''d much rather live in any city in Austria than live on 117th street.

[whatinthewld]

Austrians are no different than North Americans. In fact, I don''t think he stopped to pee on his victims.

[jd2408]

Strange he didn''t think it was that big a problem to kill himself did he ??

[susiegirl2]

I''ll choose the way of Jesus. He taught the love of money as being the root of all evil. I know that money can not buy happiness. Things bring you only an illusion of happiness and contentment.

[obamawhama]

Austria is better of getting rid of this moron who thinks that bludgeoning someone with an ax is way better off than the ''shame of being poor''...

man! we really have our priorities mixed up.

[columbiabro]

mnm421: I live in Austria. Austrians are not as racist as you believe, though some are. I think your characterization would upset a good many of them. Nonetheless, racism is an issue here.

[Syndicate]

This man was rich and he threw it all away. He had a wife, a daughter, Parents. Some things are more important than money. If you have money problems don''t stress it. Its a *** shoot for all of us. Some smart people fail and some stupid people make it. Don''t worry about it. It will be what it will be. The important thing is to take care of your family Thats means shelter and food. You don''t need fancy toys. You don''t need the huge house. You don''t need to keep up with the Jones. Their in debt up to their eyeballs anyway.

[arbedreed]

May God have mercy on their souls. Prayerfully this man will repent and give his life to God whether he gets life in prison or not. Obviously satan deceived him into committing such a horrific crime and he believed the lies that satan told him. My heart breaks because of such evil in this world. Why do people choose to believe anything but the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ? Come Lord Jesus, come soon.

[waqahi]

Correction:
The devil promises you destitution and enjoins on you lewdness and *************. Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself with bounty. Allah is All-Embracing, All-knowing. Quran II 268

[dmotte]

George Bush told him to do it.

[fit2print]

Was this a depraved crime? Did he prolong his victims'' suffering or indulge in any gratuitous acts? Personally, I feel that his crimes are unforgivable. A man wrought with financial woes should not murder his entire family. Could something else be going on here though? I encourage you all to go to www.depravityscale.org to voice your opinion. You have the opportunity to influence the definition of what crimes are heinous and depraved.

[fit2print]

Was this a depraved crime? Did he prolong his victims'' suffering or indulge in any gratuitous acts? Personally, I feel that his crimes are unforgivable. A man wrought with financial woes should not murder his entire family. Could something else be going on here though? I encourage you all to go to www.depravityscale.org to voice your opinion. You have the opportunity to influence the definition of what crimes are heinous and depraved.

[waqahi]

(Alms are) for the poor who are confined in the way of Allah-- they cannot go about in the land; the ignorant man thinks them to be rich on account of (their) abstaining (from begging); you can recognise them by their mark; they do not beg from men importunately; and whatever good thing you spend, surely Allah knows it. Quran II 273
Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Quran II 274
Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returneth (to usury) - Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein. Quran II 275
Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity: For He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked. Quran II 276

[waqahi]

The devil promiseth you destitution and enjoineth on you lewdness and gardliness. While Allah promiseth you forgiveness from Himself with bounty. Allah is All-Embracing, All-knowing. Quran II-268
He giveth wisdom unto whom He will, and he unto whom wisdom is given, he truly hath received abundant good. But none remember except men of understanding. Quran II-269
And whatever ye spend in charity or devotion, be sure Allah knows it all. But the wrong-doers have no helpers. Quran II-270
If you give alms openly, it is well, and if you hide it and give it to the poor, it is better for you; and this will do away with some of your ill-deeds; and Allah is aware of what you do. Quran 271
It is not required of thee (O Messenger), to set them on the right path, but Allah sets on the right path whom He pleaseth. Whatever of good ye give benefits your own souls, and ye shall only do so seeking the "Face" of Allah. Whatever good ye give, shall be rendered back to you, and ye shall not Be dealt with unjustly. Quran II 272

[mnm421]

Good! Austrians are very racist, they try to expel immigrants. There is old saying "what goes around, will comes around!"

[usmcvn2]

Alright! Come on copy cat crimes. LOL