Overwhelmed by illness: Although outside help is always offered, five elderly men in Austria made their own life and death decisions, took up arms, shot their wives first, then themselves…
Amour – the French word for love – served the Austrian director Michael Haneke as the title for his award-winning 2012 film: In it, the elderly protagonist George suffocates his beloved wife Eva – because he is overwhelmed by her need for care.
Sadly not in fiction, but in brutal reality, similar scenes took place in Austria – five times in June alone! In the first “care drama” at the beginning of the month, a critically ill Styrian (87) shot his wife (78) in Schladming while she was sleeping and then often judged herself indistinct,” renowned court psychiatrist Heidi Kastner reported in an interview with the “Krone”.
A few days later, there was a similar case in Vienna’s 15th district: a caretaker had sounded the alarm because the door to her client’s apartment could no longer be opened. When police cleared the entrance, they found two bodies covered in blood. Accordingly, the 80-year-old allegedly shot his wife (79) and himself.
“Caring for a loved one is a herculean task”
“Caring for a loved one is a daunting task,” says Caritas healthcare expert Gabriela Hackl. Also in Lower Austria there was a murder-suicide in the Weinviertel in Groß-Enzersdorf: Helmut H. (80) had cared for his beloved Dora (83), who was seriously ill 30 years ago, at home with great dedication. But when he was diagnosed with lung cancer, he took his wife’s life and then his own. Also in Vienna-Landstrasse, a pensioner (68) killed his wife (76) and himself on June 22.
Karl S. then made the initially sad end of the “care drama” series in Vienna-Simmering on June 25: the 84-year-old killed his sick wife (82), the family dog ”Chico” and himself on Saturday. The long-term neighbors of the couple were simultaneously stunned and saddened by the local inspection “Krone” – no one expected such madness.
However, Hackl appeals to those affected with dependent relatives or partners: “There are good opportunities for everyone to get help!”
If you or a loved one are in a special psychological situation or have suicidal thoughts, please contact the pastoral care by telephone on telephone number 142. You can find other crisis telephones and emergency numbers.HERE
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.
