What happened to the victim in the 1996 case of Maria K, who was locked 9 years in a coffin-like wooden chest?

Question

In"The Australian" (online) has an article entitled "In AustriaNo One Can Hear You Scream" (The Australian, 2008). http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23619178-2703,00.html

The article talks about a case in Vienna, Austria, involving a mentally handicapped person -- the "1996 case of Maria K, who was locked in a coffin-like wooden chest."

Wikipedia mentions that she was locked in the coffin for 9 YEARS by her parents. The article claims that she was 23. (Fritzl Incest Case, 2008). (Was that before or after the incarceration?) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritzl#Similar_cases

I am wondering where I can find more information about this Maria K. coffin case. Please post a link or suggest a further search option. I'd like to know what happened to the girl, whether she is still alive, what was the result of her confinement, and what was the consequence to her parents? I appreciate your time and thoughtful response.

Answer 1

I found some information for you on a disability awareness page.  Check out these two links.

http://www.daa.org.uk/e_tribune/e_1997_0...

http://www.daa.org.uk/e_tribune/e_1996_1...

It's a terrible story but not quite as terrible as wikipedia made it sound.  She was not locked in the coffin constantly for nine years but at night and as a punishment.