Harassed by antivax, a doctor ends her life in Austria

BET À DAY

Threatened for months by anti-vaccine activists, a well-known Austrian doctor took her own life over the weekend. 

Lisa's body -Maria Kellermayr was discovered Friday in her doctor's office in the province of Upper Austria.

According to several Austrian media, the woman left a letter explaining the reasons for her suicide.

Ms Kellermayr had risen to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic when she championed vaccination on various TV sets.

Her recommendations have earned her harassment from hordes of antivax on social networks, but also physically.

Faced with constant intimidation, the doctor was forced to close her consulting practice.

She also allegedly went bankrupt after having to spend thousands of euros to ensure its safety.

The news of Lisa-Maria Kellermayr's death sparked a wave of reactions across the country.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen condemned the facts on Twitter.

Gestern Nacht hat eine engagierte Frau entschieden, nicht mehr weiterleben zu wollen. Sie war Ärztin in einer kleinen Gemeinde am Attersee. Ihr Name is Lisa-Maria Kellermayr. (1/5)

— A. Van der Bellen (@vanderbellen) July 29, 2022

“Let’s put an end to this fearmongering and bullying. Hate and intolerance have no place in Austria,” he wrote.

If you need help 

QUEBEC SUICIDE PREVENTION LINE

– www.aqps.info

-1 866 APPELLE (277-3553) 

KIDS PHONE

– www.jeunessejecoute.ca

-1 800 668-6868 

TEL-JEUNES

– www.teljeunes.com

-1 800 263-2266