Disappearance

Date of Disappearance

June 2, 2017

Notes

Christine had not always been mentally secure, suffering from bi-polar disorder and the resulting depressive and manic episodes at times in the past. But she had recently been doing very well and had found a new hobby to devote herself to with a passion.

Despite being significantly older than the typical ballet student, Christine had become enthusiastic about learning to dance. She was just starting out, but did not let that dissuade her from dreaming of becoming a professional dancer. Although employed as a sociologist at a local after-school care center, she spent most of her time seeking to improving her dancing skills. Every opportunity she could find, Christine danced her way through life; she was happy to spend most of her free time to exploring this new life adventure.

Unfortunately, there is some suggestion that she had also begun to discontinue taking her medication as she was afraid that it would hinder her from developing her dancing abilities to their full potential (Kurier). There was also evidence found on her computer later that revealed she had researched the topic of suicide to quite an extent. Though whether that research was for herself or regarding one of the children or refugees she was helping with at her job or with the various charities she volunteered with is not clear.

Along with a group of her friends, Christine had helped to set up and promote a community event designed to bring locals and refugees together. She was set to perform that evening, dancing for the event before enjoying the rest of the evening with her friends. It was a resounding success and Christine appeared excited and happy when she parted with her friends. That would be the last time her friends and family would see her; Christine would vanish seemingly without a trace in the days that followed.

Christine initially told her parents she planned to spend the weekend of Pentacost at a local convent with the Sisters of Mary of Mount Carmel (Marienschwestern vom Karmel) in Linz. However, as the following Wednesday approached (June 7) and the time passed for when she was expected back home and at work, her family reported her missing after not hearing from her.

Unexpectedly, the convent reported that Christine had never arrived there and that they had not heard from her. Friends and roommates had also not seen or heard from the young woman; neither had her workplace. Her cell phone was off and could not be used to trace her.

It was now that her family learned that Christine had shared different plans for the weekend with her friends form the dance project. According to them, she left early that night, excited about a trip she had organized to go hiking. As police launched their investigation, rumored sightings came in of Christine on June 6 in the Dachstein mountains in the area of Obertraun approximately 2 hours South West of Linz.

Two sightings were significant, the first near the Dachstein Cable Car in Obertraun and one on the hiking trail near the Koppenbrühler Cave. Koppenbrühler Caveis one of three caves in the Dachstein area and has a significant maze of underground waterways. It is usually accessed via an easy footpath that starts about 15 minutes from the cave entrance but passes along the Koppentraun river. The river itself can run smoothly most of the year but in spring as the ice and snow melts, it turns into a raging river. That said, in June, some have speculated that it should not have been that deep and would rather have been at the stage for wading. It should be noted that temperatures in the cave are cold (~42F) and are often below freezing within the cave itself; thus visitors are warned to wear warm clothing. That said, the website states that the caves are safe for children and thus should be fairly secure.

An officer in the local police force would contact the investigator in charge of Christine’s case; he and his wife recognized her from the old railway tunnel on the footpath near the cave on June 2nd. According to them, Christine was only wearing flip flops and a light sundress (Kurier). Articles also suggest she was seen near the Dachstin cable car.

Police immediately began combing the area for traces of Christine, utilizing dogs and helicopters to help them search the vast region. One of the dogs found the trail of Christine near the Koppenbrühler Cave; three hours later the path led them to the Bad Aussee train station. It appears that police believe she traveled from the Cave to the train station, but where she went afterwards is unknown. Nor were police able to uncover where she had been between June 2 to June 6.

Multiple Victims?

Rumored or Actual Sightings