The ex-wife of Robert Aichinger, who is under investigation following the death of his current wife, Daniela Aichinger, has revealed accounts of severe abuse during their marriage. These allegations include physical violence, such as punching her in the face, and animal cruelty, involving severe beatings of their pet dog. The former wife described an incident where her then-husband punched her repeatedly after she refused his request for her to engage in sexual activity with other couples. The abuse reportedly escalated after the birth of their first son.
Daniela Aichinger, 39, died on June 25, with police initially receiving a report that she had died in an accident during consensual "rough sex." However, an autopsy and a review of Robert Aichinger's phone records uncovered a more sinister series of events. Investigators found that Aichinger had allegedly researched how to drug someone days before his wife's death. He is accused of repeatedly drugging his wife and handing her over unconscious to other men for payment. Text messages suggest these encounters occurred over an extended period, with Aichinger referring to his wife as "dead meat" and arranging payments of up to 500 Euros per session.
Prosecutors have likened the case to that of Gisele Pelicot, a French woman who was drugged by her husband and repeatedly raped by numerous men. The current case has been dubbed "Pelicot 2.0."
Robert Aichinger has been arrested along with a neighbor, who is accused of sexually assaulting Daniela Aichinger twice, including on the night of her death. Text messages recovered by police indicate communication between Aichinger and his neighbor regarding the alleged abuse. On the night of Daniela's death, Robert Aichinger allegedly sent his neighbor a photograph of his unconscious wife. In one message, Robert Aichinger wrote, "I'll get her properly drunk. Then you can have sex with her again. The way she was whining the other day was amazing." The neighbor reportedly replied, "She almost screamed. You cover her mouth again," and expressed gratitude for being "allowed to use her."
Further communication revealed Robert Aichinger admitting his wife did not consent to the acts, stating, "She's not participating willingly." He also expressed a desire for date-rape drugs to facilitate regular rapes. The day prior to Daniela's death, Robert Aichinger allegedly shared photos of his wife with the neighbor, with a separate message questioning if the neighbor understood "that it's a real rape and she would never go along with it?"
The investigation is ongoing, with additional suspects reportedly under investigation. The case brings to mind the 2024 trial of Dominique Pelicot in France, who admitted to drugging his wife Gisele for nearly a decade and facilitating her rape by dozens of men. Dominique Pelicot was convicted on all charges and received the maximum sentence of 20 years. His 50 co-defendants were also found guilty of related charges.