Shocking homicide: son stabs father nine times!

Shocking homicide: son stabs father nine times!

A 23-year-old was sentenced to twelve years in prison for manslaughter in Ried on July 17, 2025. The defendant killed his own father with nine stab wounds. This shocking act took place on January 19, 2024, when the young man was drugged and unable to show up for work. According to 5min.at, there was a verbal argument between the two after the drunken father reproached his son.

During the argument, the father got a gun and fired twice into the wall and into the air. The son, who was apparently in an emotional state of emergency, then stabbed him with a knife. The father died from his injuries a short time later. The prosecution pleaded murder, but the defense spoke of self-defense.

Court verdict and psychological stress

The court ultimately decided 7:1 for manslaughter and found the defendant to be fully sane. A psychiatric expert reported that the defendant was diagnosed with a personality disorder that developed during puberty. Although he was considered sane, there were expectations that he might attack other people in the future. The public prosecutor therefore requested that he be placed in a forensic therapeutic center, where the defendant would ultimately be admitted.

In addition to this case that shocked society, a 21-year-old in Vienna had to answer for the murder of his 47-year-old girlfriend. This crime took place in February in an apartment in Vienna-Leopoldstadt when the defendant was under the influence of drugs. After a loud argument that alerted neighbors, the man was seen knocking his girlfriend to the ground and dragging her into the apartment. According to sn.at he was sentenced to 15 years in prison and was also sent to a forensic therapeutic center.

Mental illness in society

Both cases highlight the challenges posed by mental illness. According to dgppn.de, more than one in four adults in Germany meet the criteria for a mental illness over the course of a year. The most common problems are anxiety disorders, depression and alcohol or medication use disorders. Mental illnesses not only lead to significant social and professional limitations, but are also the second most common cause of sick days at work.

In both situations, a link between substance abuse and mental illness has been identified in the past, which apparently contributed to the escalation of violence. These incidents are revitalizing the social debate about the need for prevention programs and better psychiatric care.