Life sentence for murder of Jennifer Scharinger – ex-partner convicted in Vienna
A 33-year-old has been sentenced to life imprisonment at Vienna's regional criminal court for strangling Jennifer Scharinger in 2018. The then 21-year-old had been missing for eight years.
Femicide in Vienna Brigittenau: Life sentence after eight years
For eight years, Jennifer Scharinger was listed as missing – until her ex-partner confessed in December 2025 that he had killed the then 21-year-old. According to the Wiener Zeitung, the now 33-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment at Vienna's regional criminal court. The court additionally ordered his commitment to a forensic-therapeutic centre after he was diagnosed with a combined personality disorder. The verdict is not final.
"Jenni was only 21 years old when the accused decided to take her life. Because he could not have her, no one should have her. A femicide, let us call it by its name," the prosecutor said in her closing statement in courtroom 103 of the regional criminal court.
Strangulation attack after relationship ended
On 22 January 2018, the trained gardener ended her life in Jennifer's flat in Vienna-Brigittenau: he grabbed her from behind during an argument and strangled her until she lay lifeless on the floor. Jennifer had previously ended their relationship. After the act, he undressed the body and removed it from the flat in a box.
"He strangled her in cold blood. He could not accept the idea that she herself decided how and with whom she lived her life," the prosecutor said. Defence lawyer Astrid Wagner, however, emphasised that her client was "not a cold-blooded killer" – his feelings had "got the better of him". He was "relieved that it has been uncovered".
The accused made a matter-of-fact confession before presiding judge Petra Poschalko. "That is extremely cruel," the judge interjected. He began to weep: "I am terribly sorry for the family, and that I lied to them for so long because I was not able to take responsibility. I hope I will be helped." The judge's response: "There is no more help for the victim, that is the tragic part."
Body hidden in military restricted zone
After the murder, the accused initially left the body in bushland near Großweikersdorf in Tulln district. His presence there was established through his mobile phone's location data – which he had switched off for 47 minutes that night. Police at the time searched forest areas with tracker dogs, conducted excavations, and deployed divers in Ottenstein reservoir, but found nothing.
In March 2018, the accused allegedly moved the remains to their final location: a military restricted zone at Allentsteig training grounds in Zwettl district. He denied involvement in any crime. In spring 2019, the investigation against him was discontinued – even though he was always considered the prime suspect by investigators. The circumstantial evidence was insufficient at that time.
Mother conducted her own investigation – trap via dating platform
Jennifer Scharinger's mother Brigitta never stopped searching throughout those years. She combed through forests with spade and shovel, organised self-funded excavations, and investigated on her own. She was convinced that her daughter's ex-partner was responsible for her disappearance.
The decisive breakthrough came from a ruse: an acquaintance of Brigitta Scharinger created a fake profile on a dating platform and began chatting with the suspect. He subsequently described in a voice message in March 2025 in detail how to dispose of a body without leaving suspicious traces – the "perfect murder". The recording was played in court.
This triggered new investigations. Previous ex-partners of the man were questioned again; they consistently painted the same picture of violence according to the court. A few days before his confession in December 2025, police issued a restraining order against him after he attacked his then-girlfriend. He subsequently led authorities to Jennifer's remains.
Criticism: Victim neglected in trial
In the courtroom, Andreas Schweitzer, legal representative of Jennifer's mother, criticised the course of proceedings. Too little had been said about Jenni: "Did you notice that only the accused was spoken about, that he was always the centre of attention? We forgot who this is really about."
Rosa Logar, women's rights activist and chair of WILPF Austria – Women's League for Peace and Freedom, also regretted that no people from Jennifer's personal circle came forward as witnesses: "Something was missing. That is symptomatic of the fact that the victim's side often falls short in these trials."
Jennifer Scharinger – known to everyone as "Jenni" – was a vibrant, ambitious young woman with a large circle of friends. She was studying law, working part-time at the social security institution, and was socially engaged. She had many plans ahead of her.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)