Austrian political leaders have expressed shock at the death of a doctor whose clinic closed after she reported receiving death threats from opponents of restrictions and private vaccinations. with covid-19.
Austrian media reported that the body of Dr. Lisa Maria Kellermayer, a general practitioner who had publicly confirmed the effectiveness of the vaccination, was found in her clinic office in a rural area in northern Austria, on Friday.
Prosecutors in the Vils region confirmed a suicide, and said notes had been found, the contents of which would not be disclosed, according to the Austrian News Agency.
Kellermayer announced a month ago that she would temporarily close the clinic more than seven months after she received death threats. She said she spent more than 100,000 euros ($102,000) on security.
In mid-July, Kellermayer said she would permanently close this clinic because she could not “provide any perspective on whether and when it would be possible for us to operate under ‘normal’ conditions”.
Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen wrote on Twitter that his feelings are with the family and friends of Kellermayer.
“Let us put an end to this intimidation and fear,” he said. “There is no place for hatred and intolerance in our Austria. Let us always find a way to live together in peace.”
Health Minister Johannes Rauch said Kellermayer’s death “shocked me deeply”.
“As a physician, she devoted her life to the health and well-being of others,” Rauch tweeted. “The death threats against her and her colleagues were a brutal reality.” He described the threat as unforgivable and said it “must eventually stop”.
In June, prosecutors in Wels closed an investigation into a German suspected of threatening Kellermayr, saying German authorities were responsible for the case, APA reported. Police in Austria continued to investigate unknown persons.
