The attempted murder on National Day in Engerwitzdorf (Upper Austria) made headlines across Austria. Michael R. (23) suddenly attacked Beatrice S. (21) at his mother’s house that night. First with fists, then with a chef’s knife. He stabbed his partner dozens of times and set the house on fire. With her last strength, the badly injured man managed to jump out of the first-floor window and flee. While S. was being treated, R. threw himself in front of a fire truck that was driving to the site of the fire. He died at the scene of the accident. Almost half a year after the crime, the “crown” met Beatrice S. for an interview.
„krone“: How are you today, not even six months after that terrible night?
beatrice: I’m doing very well now. I was able to process what happened – so it’s not hard for me to talk openly about what happened.
In any case, the crime left traces on your body that will accompany you for the rest of your life.
Yes, but that’s okay. My back is scarred, the doctors counted 43 punctures. They are now part of me, part of my life story and make me unique. Now I wear them with pride. You are proof that I have found the strength to survive.
They had an enormous urge to survive, but also incredibly lucky.
Two stitches penetrated the lungs. I was really lucky my lungs didn’t collapse. But I could have bled to death. After Michael hit my head on the tile floor several times and stabbed me ten more times, I got to a point where I saw a bright light, like what happens to people after a near-death experience. My body had no more strength. I was faced with the decision to close my eyes forever or fight again. Suddenly I had the brainwave that I had to jump out the window. I beat myself, I don’t want to die, and concentrated all my energy.
That was after your boyfriend dragged you into the bathroom and threw towels at you to set on fire.
I jumped onto the garage roof and from there into the garden. I broke my foot in the process. I then collapsed in the hallway with the neighbors. In addition to the knife wounds, I had a broken bone and a torn ligament. Also a broken nose, a bruised skull and a completely bloodshot eye. Also there were scrapes all over and severe strangulation marks, my throat was all blue in the area of the larynx. When the emergency doctor came, I was finally sure I wouldn’t bleed to death.
While you were being treated, you heard that a passerby had been hit by a fire truck.
I didn’t hear from a doctor until the next day that it was Michael and that he was dead. I had asked because I had a feeling he might not be alive. But for the first few days I couldn’t cry because I was still in shock.
Why did your friend panic so much, was there a reason for that?
Two days earlier, he had attempted suicide by slitting his forearms. I took him to the hospital, but he pretended to be okay after all. He was then discharged, but had a severe headache. He took aspirin and drank alcohol for hours. He couldn’t get it out of his mind either, so I went to sleep. And when I woke up at 1:30 am he was still drinking. After again unsuccessfully asking him to stop, I took the alcohol and drained it.
When you announced that you were packing your things, he knocked you to the ground and strangled you – and then the knife came into play.
It was the first time he hurt me. I was shocked. Furthermore, he was always very attentive and sweet, but on that day he was like a different person.
How do you remember him today?
Without any hatred – I have forgiven him. But I also think back without nostalgia. What happened, happened – I can’t change it anyway.
Do you have any psychological after-effects?
No, I am at peace with myself – thanks to psychological help. The fact that I was able to survive the crime gave me a lot of confidence and strengthened me as a woman. I would like to pass this experience on to other victims. I converted negative into positive. I’m better than before, I’m not sleeping badly and I’m back to work full-time.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
