An Austrian woman who prosecutors allege was sexually abused by her husband and another man while incapacitated is being likened to French rape victim Gisele Pelicot by local media.
The woman, based in the Austrian city of Wels, was rendered “defenceless” before her death, prosecutors told CNN.
They also claimed that a second man had also admitted to her sexual abuse, with the night of her death one of the times he had allegedly done so.
Sign up to The Nightly’s newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.
The circumstances of the woman’s death have also led prosecutors to investigate whether other men had been involved in sex crimes against the woman – who has not been named – and whether payment was involved.
Both the 51-year-old man and his neighbour, also 51, are in custody following their arrests last month.
The suggestion of a possible rape network has led local media to dub the case “Pelicot 2.0”, a clear reference to the Frenchwoman whose ex-husband Dominique was found guilty of knocking her out with drugs for the sexual gratification of strangers while she was incapacitated.
There have been suggestions in Austrian media of the likelihood of other predators taking advantage of the dead woman but it is yet to be confirmed by authorities.
The case was first reported in late June when the 39-year-old victim was discovered bleeding and with severe injuries in a residence in Marchtrenk, near Wels. She was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
While the victim’s husband allegedly told authorities that her death was an “accident” which took place during sex, prosecutors said to CNN that the nature of her injuries “indicate violence”.
The victim was found severely injured and bleeding at her home in Marchtrenk, near Wels in Upper Austria, on June 26, according to prosecutors. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene and an autopsy was ordered.
Prosecutors told CNN that the husband initially said her death was the result of an “accident” during rough sex. But the victim’s injuries, they said, “indicate violence.”
UK news website Metro separately reported that authorities subsequently found on the man’s phone internet searches on “how to drug someone” and allegations that he had allowed men to rape the woman while she was unconscious for money.
Those claims are not part of the prosecutor’s case against both men in custody as yet although the Wels prosecutor’s office has told CNN that the investigation is still ongoing.
The prosecution also told CNN that no cash payment is currently believed to have been made between either of the men as yet.
As the case currently stands, the husband is still yet to be charged but is being investigated over allegations of abuse of a defenceless or impaired person resulting in death.
That offence could carry a sentence of 10 to years in prison or life, but investigators have not ruled out murder charges.
