Sometimes love turns to hate, or worse still, murder. This became a reality in the case of 22-year-old Franz Stockreiter. He simply could not come to terms with the break-up from his great love, Leopoldine R. For weeks after the split, he had been lying in wait for Leopoldine and threatening her with a knife. Leopoldine subsequently reported Franz to the police, and he was remanded in custody for a few hours in April 1974. After his release, Franz had only one goal: he wanted to murder Leopoldine. To this end, on 12 April 1974, he hid in her parents’ barn in Weissenbach an der Triesting in Lower Austria. When Leopoldine’s mother unexpectedly turned up there instead of Leopoldine, he bludgeoned her to death with a wooden club. Leopoldine’s mother had previously called out for help. Leopoldine had heard these cries for help and rushed to the barn, where she met the same fate as her mother. Franz had also bludgeoned Leopoldine to death. Franz then fled on foot but was arrested by the police near the town of Heiligenkreuz. For the double murder, Franz Stockreiter was sentenced to life imprisonment in June 1975 at the Wiener Neustadt Regional Court. He was admitted to Stein Prison. Due to his increasingly severe delusions, he was transferred in 1988 to the prison for mentally abnormal offenders in Göllersdorf. There he underwent therapy and was even granted a total of 194 days’ leave between 1988 and 1995, intended to prepare him for his possible release. Franz worked in Göllersdorf as a sort of caretaker, who in March 1995 happened to find some of his prison files in the waste paper, which appeared to contain a negative prognosis. Franz believed he would never be released from prison, which led to a violent, impulsive reaction. Armed with a chainsaw and a petrol can, Franz barricaded himself in the refuse room. He demanded to speak to the judge responsible for his release. However, his therapist, Veronika Kreuzinger-Hitz, managed to calm Franz down and persuade him to give up. Yet just two weeks later, on 4 April 1995, Franz lost his temper during a therapy session with Veronika. When Veronika told Franz that she would be leaving the Göllerdorf Special Prison in a few weeks’ time to undertake further training, Franz flew into a rage. He grabbed a craft knife that he had found in the rubbish and used it to kill Veronika. In December 1995, Franz Stockreiter, who had confessed shortly before his release, was once again sentenced to life imprisonment by the Korneuburg Regional Court. The murder of the psychotherapist led to a shift in focus regarding the management of dangerous offenders at Göllersdorf Prison.
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
Isabella Mueller (crime writer)
