Vöcklabruck murder investigation after woman found dead by river

Police in Upper Austria have launched a murder investigation after the body of a 53-year-old woman was discovered on the banks of the Ager River in the Dürnau area of Vöcklabruck. The victim, identified as being from the Gmunden or Laakirchen region, was found by children playing near the river on Tuesday afternoon.

Initial examinations revealed that the woman had sustained multiple stab wounds, including injuries to her back. Authorities believe the death was a homicide. The victim had reportedly been missing since August 29 and was previously a patient at the psychiatric department of the Vöcklabruck Hospital.

In response to the discovery, the Wels Public Prosecutor's Office ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause and time of death. Divers from the fire department conducted searches in the Ager River on Wednesday to locate a potential murder weapon, though no results have been reported yet. The Upper Austria State Criminal Police are leading the ongoing investigation.