Former title challenger Viviane Obenauf sentenced to 16 years in prison, found guilty of murder
Former title challenger Viviane Obenauf was sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of murder, according to a report from BoxingScene.com.
Obenauf, now 36, was arrested in early December 2020 in connection with the brutal murder of her then husband who was 61-year-old at the time. The attack took place two months prior in October 2020.
The husband, only identified as “Thomas” due to Swiss protection law, was struck 19 times in the head with a baseball bat at the couple’s home in Interlaken, Switzerland, according to a police report.
Prosecutors were able to provide evidence beyond a reasonable doubt, including blood samples obtained from clothing worn by both Obenauf and the victim.
According to BoxingScene’s report, “Obenauf once represented her native Brazil in the Olympics as a gymnast before turning to boxing. She fought as a pro from 2014 through 2019, having relocated to Switzerland from Brazil upon retiring with a record of 14-6 (9KOs). She and Thomas—who owned Des Alpes restaurant in Lucerne—wed in January 2020 in Switzerland. Obenauf worked in the food and beverage industry after her retirement from boxing, though the sport remained a part of her life as she opened her own gym later that year.”
The argument the couple had was reportedly over the husband’s reaction to Obenauf carrying a baby through artificial insemination.
Obenauf dropped a December 2018 unanimous decision to still-reigning IBF 130-pound titlist Maiva Hamadouche in her lone career title bid.
