Lauren Mann, a 25-year-old American au pair from Colorado, was found dead in her Vienna apartment Tuesday after she failed to show up to work on Monday. The details surrounding her death are what make this story incredibly bizarre. Here’s what you need to know.
Who is Lauren Mann?
Lauren Mann was a 25-year-old American living and studying in Vienna. She had been there for the past three years, and had studied piano and French at the University of Colorado before moving to Europe to study German in Vienna. She was creative, reliable, an avid reader, and interested in art.
What happened to Lauren Mann?
Mann’s employer contacted authorities after he became worried when she didn’t show up for work on Monday. At some point on Tuesday, police broke down the door to her studio apartment and found her half-naked body lying face-down on a mattress. There was a considerable amount of blood and the room was completely dark. All of Mann’s lightbulbs had seemed to burn out.
An autopsy revealed that she had no external injuries, but police spokesman Thomas Keiblinger said blood found near her head may indicate an internal injury. They are treating her death as a homicide. Detectives have also ordered a toxicological report to see if there were any strange substances in her body during the time of death.
According to the Daily Mail, the U.S. Embassy in Vienna confirmed the death of Lauren Mann and said it was working with Austrian authorities on their investigation.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her loved ones,” the embassy told NBC News.
