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The deceased of a mother aged 34 and her young daughter, 10 have been found inside freezing appliances in an flat in western Austria.

The deceased, a Syrian woman and her child, who had been unaccounted for for a number of months, were found on the end of last week. The freezers were concealed behind a false wall in the dwelling, located in the city of Innsbruck.

Two men, a 55-year-old Austrian and his brother aged 53, were arrested in the month of June. The older man, a colleague of the Syrian woman, stated to police last week that there had been an unfortunate event—but rejected homicide.

Informing the media earlier, a official for the state prosecutor stated the two suspects were being detained on "high likelihood of murder".

The names of those concerned have not been released by law enforcement, in following national regulations.

The family's disappearance was originally brought to light by the cousin of the mother, who resides in Germany, on July 25, 2024.

Authorities stated the male associate claimed at the time she had taken an prolonged visit with her daughter to visit her parents in the nation of Turkey.

The mother's debit card was then noted as being active in foreign locations repeatedly.

However when officers searched the victim's residence, her smartphone was located.

Someone also claimed overhearing a loud noise in the apartment, and screams of "mother" on the day the pair were thought to have disappeared.

A broader criminal probe was launched, with investigators uncovering several texts transmitted via the victim's mobile—such as a job termination message to her workplace and texts to the male colleague.

Law enforcement confirmed a four-figure sum was also sent to the individual.

Katja Tersch told media representatives on recently that a storage facility had been rented out before the mother and child went missing and a cooling unit had been positioned inside.

The brothers took out the appliance from the storage space on the date the mother and daughter went missing, the official revealed. And a seven days after, they obtained a second unit.

Investigators state they think this points to the fatalities were intentionally orchestrated.

"The reason for their demise could not be determined due to the condition of the victims," she said.

Mayr—representing the state—noted the precise timeline is still unclear, but the bodies were expertly concealed and were not found during a earlier inspection.

Although the men were detained in June, it was only on November 12 that the suspect acknowledged an incident and to storing the victims. He denies any murderous intent, investigators stated.

Meanwhile, his younger brother admitted to a concealment but disputed awareness of a killing.

The two suspects are presently in custody awaiting trial in detention centers in two Austrian cities, approximately 189 kilometers away from each other.

Via a shared communication, Austria's Minister for Women and Justice Minister declared the "suspected killing of two... symbolizes the sudden and brutal end of two individuals and reveals a brutal scheme".

"Females of all ages are falling victim to homicide due to the simple reality that they are women and girls," they added.

"Gender-based killings are a strongly established and issue affecting all of society that we must fight resolutely."