Austrian Mother and Daughter Found Dead in Freezer, Brothers Arrested

Shocking Discovery in Innsbruck

In a chilling case that has shocked Austria, a 34-year-old woman and her 10-year-old daughter who had been missing for over a year were found dead in a freezer in Innsbruck. The gruesome discovery came after a confession from a 55-year-old colleague who was among two brothers arrested in connection with the case.

The victims, originally from Syria but living in Innsbruck, were reported missing by family members in July 2024. Their disappearance remained a mystery until recent developments led police to the horrific find.

Investigation Breakthrough

The case took a significant turn when the younger brother, 53, attempted to sell furniture belonging to the missing woman online. 'The suspicious online sales activity immediately raised red flags for investigators,' said a police spokesperson familiar with the case. Further investigation revealed that the brothers had also sold jewelry belonging to the victim and had been manipulating her bank accounts.

Police had been monitoring the brothers for months before making arrests in June 2025. The breakthrough came when the older brother confessed to involvement in the deaths, though he claimed it was an accident. 'We cannot comment on the specific nature of the confession at this time, but we are treating this as a homicide investigation,' the police spokesperson added.

Gruesome Discovery

Following the confession, police conducted a search of a property connected to the brothers and made the horrifying discovery. The bodies of both victims were found concealed in a freezer that had been hidden behind a drywall in an apartment. The condition of the bodies, severely decomposed after more than a year, has made determining the exact cause of death challenging for forensic experts.

Evidence suggests the crime was premeditated. Investigators found that the freezer had been acquired specifically for this purpose before the victims' disappearance. The main suspect, who worked with the victim and reportedly had a personal relationship with her, initially told authorities she had gone on an extended trip.

Community in Shock

The discovery has sent shockwaves through the Innsbruck community and beyond. Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol and Austria's fifth-largest city with approximately 132,000 residents, is known as a picturesque Alpine city that has hosted multiple Winter Olympics. This brutal crime has shaken the normally peaceful community.

Local residents expressed their horror at the news. 'This is not the kind of thing you expect to happen in our beautiful city,' said one longtime Innsbruck resident. 'We're all struggling to comprehend how something so terrible could happen here.'

Both brothers remain in pre-trial detention as the investigation continues. While they have admitted to hiding the bodies, they maintain the deaths were accidental. However, police evidence points toward a planned crime, with the acquisition of the freezer and subsequent attempts to profit from the victim's possessions suggesting premeditation.

The case continues to develop as forensic teams work to determine the exact circumstances of the deaths and prosecutors prepare charges against the two brothers.