Tragic Discovery in Graz: Newborn Found Dead with Head Trauma

A newborn baby, discovered deceased on a carport roof in Graz's Wetzelsdorf district, was alive at the time of birth, according to authorities. The 20-year-old mother remains in custody under suspicion of murder, as initial investigations indicate that the infant likely suffered a traumatic head injury.

The autopsy, conducted by a forensic expert following an order from the Graz Public Prosecutor's Office, confirmed that the baby weighed 3,016 grams and measured 49 centimeters. It is believed that the newborn boy lived for only a brief period post-delivery. The case has now escalated to a murder investigation, with a decision regarding the imposition of pre-trial detention expected later today.

The grim discovery was made by a neighbor on Tuesday around 1:00 PM, who found the unclothed infant on the carport roof and promptly alerted law enforcement. Initially, the occupants of the house were unavailable, but later in the day, the mother, a Croatian national, was located nearby. She resides with her family in the house, albeit in separate apartments from the alleged father of the child. She claimed to have been unaware of her pregnancy and expressed surprise at the situation, according to police reports.

Authorities suspect that after giving birth, the mother may have thrown the baby out of a roof window, leading to the infant landing on the carport roof beneath during the rainfall. The mother was reportedly in a state of shock and was subsequently taken to the LKH Graz hospital, where she underwent surgery later that evening. While she has admitted to the circumstances surrounding the incident, she maintains that she had no knowledge of her pregnancy, a claim echoed by her family.

Investigators have gathered some leads regarding the potential father, but these are still under verification. The ongoing investigation seeks to clarify the details and context surrounding this tragic event.