Austrian father confesses to stabbing 8-year-old daughter, telling investigators 'She was my darling'

A father confessed to investigators that he fatally stabbed his 8-year-old daughter in Kumberg, Austria, during a domestic dispute. The incident, which occurred Monday evening, has sent shockwaves of grief and disbelief through the community. The girl sustained severe neck injuries, and an autopsy confirmed she died from extensive bleeding.

During a hours-long interrogation on Wednesday, the 37-year-old construction technician reportedly detailed the events of that night, admitting to the crime. He allegedly told investigators that he decided to take his older daughter's life along with his own after a dispute with his partner. The father described the 8-year-old as his "darling."

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She was my darling.

According to his statement, the man entered the room where his partner and their two daughters, aged 7 and 8, were sleeping around 10:45 p.m. He then attacked the older daughter with a 20 cm Japanese knife. She was rushed to the University Clinic in Graz but succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival. Following the attack, the father reportedly went to the bathroom and attempted suicide, where he was found by emergency services with cuts on his hands.

Investigators confirmed the suspect confessed to the crime and inflicted multiple stab and cut wounds on his daughter. The autopsy findings align with the preliminary investigation. A forensic psychiatrist consulted by the newspaper "Kronen Zeitung" suggested that revenge against a partner could be a motive in such cases, citing the phrase, "I'll take away what you love most." The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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I'll take away what you love most.