German Man Acquitted in Austrian Doctor's Suicide Case

An Austrian court found insufficient evidence to link threatening messages from a German man to Dr. Lisa-Maria Kellermayr's 2022 suicide, spotlighting challenges in addressing online hate speech.

The Landgericht Wels court acquitted the 61-year-old German man, citing a lack of evidence directly connecting his messages to Dr. Lisa-Maria Kellermayr's suicide.
Kellermayr, an Austrian doctor and advocate for COVID-19 vaccination, faced extensive harassment, including threats from unidentified sources, before her death in 2022.
Prosecutors argued that the accused's messages exacerbated Kellermayr's mental health struggles, but the defense highlighted her pre-existing psychological issues and other threats she received.
A psychiatric expert testified that a combination of factors, including financial stress, health issues, and fear from threats, contributed to Kellermayr's suicide.
The case has reignited discussions on the legal accountability for online hate speech and the adequacy of measures to combat digital harassment.