Vetsera

Vetsera was the surname of Baroness Marie Alexandrine von Vetsera (1869-1889), a member of Austrian nobility who was involved in the Mayerling Incident.

Marie von Vetsera was born into a wealthy Austrian family. Her father, Baron Albin von Vetsera, was a diplomat. She is best known for her alleged relationship with Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary and their subsequent deaths at the Mayerling hunting lodge in 1889.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Rudolf and Marie Vetsera are shrouded in mystery and subject to much speculation. The official explanation, initially, was that Rudolf had committed suicide. Later, it was suggested that he had first shot Marie and then himself. Other theories propose a political assassination or a suicide pact gone wrong.

Due to the sensitive nature of the incident and the involvement of the Imperial family, the investigation was limited and many records were sealed. This has fueled numerous conspiracy theories over the years. The details surrounding Marie Vetsera's role and her motivations remain unclear, making the Mayerling Incident one of the most enduring mysteries of the Habsburg dynasty. She was seventeen years old at the time of her death. Her body was secretly buried in the Heiligenkreuz Abbey cemetery.