Death scandal: Now the threatening letter writer has to go to court!

Death scandal: Now the threatening letter writer has to go to court!

The tragic case of the Upper Austrian doctor Lisa-Maria Kellermayr, who committed suicide in her practice on Attersee at the end of July 2022, is leading to a sensational trial. Kellermayr had been massively threatened by radical vaccination opponents and corona deniers because she actively supported the Covid vaccination. In the final months before her death, she received frightening threats that eventually forced her to close her practice and face financial difficulties. These events were followed intensively online and in the media. As today.at reported, public consternation over her fate led to extensive investigations.

Legal proceedings against the threatener

A 61-year-old German is now on trial, accused of massively threatening Kellermayr in several emails and tweets between February and July 2022. He is accused of wanting to bring her before a “people’s tribunal” and “put her in the dock and then safely into prison,” as the Wels public prosecutor announced. The defendant does not deny the alleged acts, but claims that it was merely “a two-way verbal argument.” The trial will be heard in Wels in March 2024, with expected high media attention, as ooe.ORF.at reported.

The situation is of great importance to the public given the massive threats and the ensuing tragedy. In Austria, the case has sparked a broad discussion about how to deal with threats and protect people who support vaccination. The role of the police will also be highlighted, as they repeatedly failed to provide sufficient support to Kellermayr after she asked for help. The indictment and upcoming trial could have far-reaching consequences for future cases of threats and intimidation.