It has been a year since Gabriela S. was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer – with metastases in the lungs and liver. A year has passed since the beginning of the end of a harmonious, happy marriage. Erich S. still wears his wedding ring in Vienna court. Even if he’s in there for the murder of his once beloved wife.
In December 2021, the cancer was discovered in the 55-year-old. The doctors gave her only four months despite treatments. “Such a time with a seriously ill person also affects the caring relatives,” says lawyer Astrid Wagner. With the fatal diagnosis, a world collapsed for her client. “He wanted to remain the strong partner. The shoulder to lean on. Without noticing that he was gone.” Just when the woman was getting better and had found new courage to live, her now accused husband was overwhelmed: the care and the imminent loss of the 55-year-old presented Erich S. faced with an unsolvable problem.
Planned reunion in the afterlife
“She was the woman of my life. We’ve been through thick and thin. I’ve seen how this disease destroys you,” the suspect shouts in the presence of judge Claudia Zöllner. And then, in the early morning hours of February 24, he saw only one way out: “At that moment it was suddenly so bright. Like an explosion. This is the solution for both of us, that we will meet again in the afterlife.” And then he strangled the sleeping woman for minutes.
“I wanted to kill myself then because I wanted to go to her,” the 55-year-old said through tears. His suicide attempt with various pills and alcohol failed. The daughter – she received a goodbye email and a phone call – alerted the rescue service. For Gabriela S., all help came too late. The suspect was only just resuscitated and was then in a coma for some time. “It was a very serious suicide attempt. He randomly took as much as he could find, in combination with alcohol,” says psychiatric expert Dr. Pieter Hofman. The 55-year-old agrees with a nod, head bowed…
“Did mom die?”
The 30-year-old daughter, who ultimately saved her father’s life, also has a say in the process: “My father is a very loving father and husband. He would have put the world at my mother’s feet if he could.” The parents tried to protect their daughter from the very poor health of the mother. During telephone conversations, it was almost exclusively about the newborn grandchild – the disease was hardly mentioned.
“Beloved daughter. You will not understand what I have done today. At least I will try to explain. The way I think I have thrown you all into chaos.” The 55-year-old writes this to his daughter in a farewell email. Then came a concerned call from the 30-year-old: “Did mom die?” She was the first to ask. Then she called emergency services. And how is she now? “I love my father. But on the other hand, there is this anger and misunderstanding about what happened.” Yet she still stands by him.
Murder or Manslaughter?
The experts also see no ice-cold murder. “He was hopelessly overwhelmed,” says the forensic psychiatrist. Despite the state of emergency at the time of the crime, he was healthy. And Astrid Wagner also advocates that state of emergency and demands a conviction for manslaughter. An old saying – “Life has many more facets than the legislature can imagine.” – is exactly applicable in this case.
The jury follows the defense attorney and sentences Erich S. to seven years in prison for manslaughter – not final!
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
