Woman Held Captive by Mentally Ill Son Rescued by Police

Vienna police have rescued a 47-year-old woman, Woman Held Captive by Mentally ill 28-year-old son. The incident began when the woman threw a note into the courtyard of their residential complex seeking help. The building caretaker promptly notified the authorities, who arrived on the scene within minutes.

On Saturday at around 5:45 pm, officers from the WEGA special unit, together with officers from the Otto-Wagner-Platz police station, forcibly entered the apartment and arrested the 28-year-old man. The woman had been seen by the officers through a window on the balcony, where she was trying to draw attention to herself. However, her son appeared on the balcony and pulled her back inside the apartment. In light of this, the police used force to enter the apartment, according to a statement by the State Police Directorate.

After being rescued, the woman confirmed that her son was mentally ill and had been holding her captive. He had spilled flammable liquid and threatened to set it on fire. She managed to take a Bunsen burner from him and throw it into the courtyard, where it was secured. The son had also lit candles and scattered them on the floor, which the woman had extinguished and disposed of. She had also hidden prepared gas canisters and a hammer.

Fire investigators from the Vienna State Criminal Police Office found flammable liquid on the floor of the apartment. The 28-year-old was taken to a hospital and then, at the order of the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office, to a correctional facility due to his mental illness. The woman exercised her right to remain silent during police questioning. Police spokesman Markus Dittrich said that the 28-year-old had already been medicated for his mental illness before the incident, but had stopped taking the medication on his own.

The police were unable to determine the exact length of time that the woman had been held captive due to the lack of testimony. The incident highlights the importance of raising awareness of mental health issues and ensuring that people with mental illness receive the help and support they need.

In conclusion, the prompt action of the building caretaker and the police officers involved in this case led to the rescue of a woman who was being held captive by her mentally ill son. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for support for those who are suffering from mental illness.