Parents Charged with Murdering 3-Year-Old Son Based on Occult Beliefs

In a tragic and disturbing case, the parents of a 3-year-old boy in Tyrol, Austria have been charged with his murder after allegedly starving him to death and subjecting him to severe abuse. According to the authorities, the couple, Kevin (25) and Nathalie M. (26), were convinced by a fortune teller that their son Elias was possessed by a demon responsible for the family's financial troubles.

Driven by this belief, the parents are accused of systematically depriving Elias of food and water for months, leading to his death on May 19, 2024. An autopsy found that Elias had died weighing only 7 kilograms due to severe malnutrition and dehydration. The parents are also accused of physically abusing the child, tying him up, beating him with a wooden spoon, and isolating him from the rest of the family.

Prosecutors allege that the couple "psychologically and physically abused their child in the most gruesome way," exhibiting "sadistic traits" in their actions. Despite the obvious deterioration of Elias' health, the parents reportedly did not seek medical attention for him, leading to his tragic demise. In the days before his death, the family even celebrated the birthday of Elias' sister without him.

The parents have been remanded in custody and face a life sentence for the alleged murder of their young son through torture and neglect. This horrific case has shocked the local community and raised questions about the role of occult beliefs in enabling such extreme child abuse.