Disturbing Discovery: Bodies of Missing Mum and Daughter Located in Freezing Units in Austria

The bodies of a mother aged 34 and her young daughter, 10 have been located inside freezing appliances in an apartment in western Austria.

The victims, a woman from Syria and her child, who had been unaccounted for for a number of months, were uncovered on the end of last week. The cooling units were placed behind a drywall partition in the apartment, situated in the Innsbruck area.

A pair of males, a Austrian man, 55 and his 53-year-old brother, were taken into custody in June. The elder brother, a colleague of the Syrian woman, informed authorities last week that there had been an accident—but disputed murder.

Speaking to reporters recently, a representative for the legal authorities stated the two suspects were being held on "serious suspicion of murder".

The identities of those concerned have not been disclosed by authorities, in accordance with local legislation.

The family's disappearance was first reported by the female victim's relative, who lives in Germany, on July 25, 2024.

Police stated the 55-year-old suspect claimed at the time she had embarked on an prolonged visit with her daughter to travel to her relatives in the nation of Turkey.

The victim's bank card was then found to have been used abroad several times.

Yet when police entered the mother's apartment, her cellphone was found.

A witness also claimed overhearing a commotion in the apartment, and screams of "mum" on the day the two were presumed to have gone missing.

An expanded official inquiry was started, with officers finding multiple communications originating from the victim's mobile—including a resignation letter to her employer and texts to the male colleague.

Officials said a significant cash transfer was also transferred to the man.

Katja Tersch stated to reporters on recently that a rented space had been leased before the mother and child went missing and a freezer had been installed within.

The brothers removed the appliance from the storage space on the very day the victims went missing, Tersch stated. And a shortly afterward, they acquired a second unit.

Officials believe they think this suggests the demise were planned in advance.

"The cause of death remains unclear due to the advanced decay of the remains," Tersch said.

Mayr—of the public prosecutor's office—stated the exact sequence of events is yet to be determined, but the remains were expertly concealed and went unnoticed during a prior examination.

While the suspects were detained in the summer, it was only on 12 November that the elder brother admitted to an incident and to storing the victims. He disputes any intent to kill, authorities said.

At the same time, his 53-year-old sibling admitted to a attempt to hide evidence but disputed knowledge of a killing.

The brothers are currently in custody awaiting trial in jails in Innsbruck and Salzburg, around 117 miles (189km) apart.

Via a shared communication, the nation's official for women's affairs and Justice Minister stated the "alleged double murder... represents the abrupt and violent termination of a mother and child and uncovers a heartless setup".

"Females of all ages are being killed due to the mere fact that they are female," they continued.

"Femicides are a profoundly embedded and issue affecting all of society that we must address decisively."