Aristocrat guns down three relatives following fight over money

Anton von Goëss shot his father, stepmother and brother in their castle. A row over money or a medical condition may be behind the tragedy.

Duke Tono Goess is believed to suffer from a terminal brain condition which causes “a certain amount of confusion”. Picture: CEN

Three members of the same aristocratic Austrian family have been found dead at their luxury estate — and another relative has been arrested over the crime.

Police allege Count Anton von Goëss, 54, gunned down his father, Count Johannes Ulrich Goëss, 92, stepmother Margherita Cassis-Faraone Goëss, 87, and younger brother Ernst Goëss, 52, at close range.

The brutal attack occurred at Bockfliess Castle in Mistelbach, Austria last Thursday afternoon, and the bodies were discovered after a neighbour reported hearing loud bangs to police.

• Mistakes behind Meghan’s fall from grace

• Angry parents unleash over Little Shop

• How to bag a $500k property bargain

The Count, who is also known by the nickname “Tono”, was described as “polite, sociable and socially conscious” by those who knew him, the Daily Mail reports, and he did not resist arrest once police arrived on the grisly scene and later confessed to the crimes.

Margherita Cassis-Faraone Goëss, 87, and Count Johannes Ulrich Goëss, 92 both lost their lives in the attack. Picture: CEN

However, he is believed to be suffering from an incurable brain condition and was also known to have fought with his father and brother over money and the family’s winemaking business — two possible motives which are being investigated by authorities.

The aristocrat’s lawyer Peter Philipp told Austrian news site OE24 his client lived with tumours which caused headaches and “a certain amount of confusion”.

“It has to be clarified whether my client was sane or not due to his outer and inner tumours,” Mr Philipp said.

Neighbours claim Austrian duke Tono Goess may have killed his family due to a dispute over inheritance. Picture: CEN

But it has also emerged that the nobles had experienced serious financial strain in recent years, and that the Duke had fought with his father and brother over the family inheritance.

“We can hardly believe it. Everyone thought that they had a lot of money and no problems, but it turned out that they have some financial issues,” the Daily Mail reported a neighbour as saying.

Police arrived at the castle after a neighbour heard several loud bangs. Picture: CEN

The nobleman was an avid Twitter user, regularly using the social media platform to share political news and opinions.

His last post was on December 3 — just days before the slaughter.

The Goess family rose to prominence in the 1500s after the Habsburg monarchy bestowed them with various titles and land.

The investigation into the murders is still underway, with police awaiting the results of toxicology and psychiatric tests.

The family were avid hunters and kept many weapons on the property. Picture: CEN

However, alcohol has been eliminated as a factor.

A stash of weapons was reportedly uncovered on the grounds of the castle, however, this was not unusual as the family were keen, licenced hunters.

Continue the conversation @carey_alexis | [e-mail]