“HE PUNCHED ME IN THE FACE” — EX-WIFE OF “GISELE PELICOT 2.0” HUSBAND REVEALS CHILLING ABUSE CLAIMS

A woman who was once married to the man at the center of Austria’s shocking “Pelicot 2.0” case has come forward with disturbing allegations about what she says happened behind closed doors.

A horrifying case in Austria has taken another disturbing turn after the former wife of a man accused of facilitating the sexual abuse of his current wife revealed allegations of violence from their own marriage.

Daniela Aichinger, 39, was found dead at her home in Marchtrenk, Austria, on June 25.

Her husband, Robert Aichinger, 51, is accused of allowing other men access to Daniela while she was allegedly incapacitated.

Prosecutors have drawn comparisons with the notorious Gisèle Pelicot case in France.

Now, Robert’s former wife — an unnamed 48-year-old woman — has described what she alleges was a history of frightening abuse during their marriage.

“HE PUNCHED ME IN THE FACE”

According to the woman, Aichinger became increasingly violent after the birth of their son.

She alleged that he once demanded that she have sex with other couples.

When she refused, she claims he attacked her.

She told police that he sat on her and repeatedly punched her in the face with both fists.

The alleged assault left her with a broken jaw and bruising around her jaw and cheekbone.

She also described another disturbing incident involving their family dog, alleging that Aichinger severely beat the animal.

The woman said the experiences left her terrified of him.

HIS CURRENT WIFE WAS FOUND DEAD

The allegations come after Aichinger was arrested following the death of his current wife, Daniela.

Daniela was reportedly discovered by her teenage daughter on a waterbed at their home.

She had suffered severe injuries.

At first, Aichinger reportedly told investigators that Daniela had died during rough sex.

But an autopsy allegedly revealed injuries that raised much more serious questions about what had happened.

Investigators then searched his phone.

THE MESSAGES THAT CHANGED THE CASE

Authorities allegedly discovered messages suggesting that other men had been invited to sexually abuse Daniela while she was unable to consent.

Investigators believe Aichinger may have allowed other men to assault his wife in exchange for money, reportedly around €500 per encounter.

Police also allegedly found a search on his phone about ways to incapacitate a person shortly before Daniela’s death.

In one disturbing exchange, Aichinger allegedly referred to his wife as “dead meat.”

A neighbor has also been arrested and is accused of sexually assaulting Daniela.

Several other people are reportedly being investigated.

A CASE BEING COMPARED TO GISELE PELICOT

The similarities to the Gisèle Pelicot case have shocked observers.

In France, Gisèle Pelicot was drugged by her then-husband, Dominique Pelicot, who invited numerous men to sexually assault her while she was unconscious.

The abuse continued for years before it was uncovered.

Gisèle chose to waive her anonymity and made the proceedings public, becoming a global symbol for survivors of sexual violence.

The French case ended in December 2024 with convictions of Dominique Pelicot and the other defendants.

The Austrian investigation is separate, but prosecutors have drawn the comparison because of the alleged involvement of a husband and multiple men.

QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN

Robert Aichinger and the other suspects are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Investigators are still working to establish exactly what happened to Daniela and whether additional people were involved.

For her family, however, the most devastating question may remain unanswered:

How long had the alleged abuse been happening — and how many people knew what was going on?

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