A woman from Heispelt has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for killing her husband with a hammer in February 2022, with the court citing her schizophrenia as a mitigating factor.

In February 2022, a woman killed her husband with a hammer at their shared home in Heispelt. She has now been sentenced to 25 years in prison for homicide.

The court ruled that her mental disorder was a mitigating factor, sparing her a life sentence. The defendant, who is schizophrenic, was found to have had limited discernment – the ability to judge and control her actions – at the time of the crime. She has also been ordered to pay the trial costs, which amount to approximately €13,600.

The case came to light in March 2022 when the police discovered the husband's body in the cellar of the couple's home after acquaintances reported him missing. During the trial in November 2024, investigators detailed the events of February 2022.

According to their testimony, the 57-year-old victim was lying in bed watching television when his 38-year-old wife struck him from behind with a hammer. She then placed his body on a blanket, dragged it to the cellar, undressed him, and left him there.

Following the incident, the woman continued to live in the house for several weeks. During this time, she browsed holiday websites and property advertisements in Brazil, her native country, and attempted to sell the Heispelt home.

The trial revealed a troubled marriage. The husband, an alcoholic with limited mobility, was alleged by the defendant to have physically and verbally abused her and threatened her with a knife. However, these claims could not be substantiated. It was also established that the defendant had a history of schizophrenia and had previously received psychiatric care.

The judgment will become final in 40 days unless either party files an appeal.