A days-long manhunt in northern Austria ended Saturday after police discovered the body of Roland Drexler, the man suspected of killing two people earlier in the week. Officers located him in a wooded area of Upper Austria, near the Czech border, bringing an intense search operation to a close.
Suspect Found Dead With Weapon Nearby
Police spokesman David Furtner told the Associated Press that investigators believe Drexler died by suicide. A firearm was found next to his body, consistent with that theory. He was discovered near his parked vehicle — the same car locals reported seeing on Friday close to the first crime scene.
Two Victims, a Shocked Community
Authorities began searching for Drexler on Monday after a man’s body was found in a field near Altenfelden in the Mühlviertel region. Though police have not officially identified the victim, Austrian media report that he was the local mayor. Hours later, investigators located a second victim: a hunter shot dead in a separate location.
The killings stunned the rural community and triggered a massive police deployment, including helicopter units, dog teams, and cross-border coordination.
Possible Motive Linked to Hunting Dispute
The motive for the attacks remains unclear, but the newspaper Kurier reports that Drexler, himself a hunter, allegedly had a long-running dispute with both victims over hunting laws and land-use rights.
Authorities say the investigation will continue despite the suspect’s death, as they piece together Drexler’s final movements and the circumstances leading to the killings.