Udo Proksch (born Rudolf Proksch; 29 May 1934 – 27 June 2001), also known under the designer name Serge Kirchhofer, was an Austrian businessman, designer, socialite and convicted murderer. A prominent figure in Viennese postwar society, he became known as an eyewear designer, entrepreneur and owner of the famous Viennese confectioner Demel. He was also closely associated with the politically influential Club 45, a social circle connected to leading figures of the Austrian Social Democratic milieu.

In 1991, Proksch was convicted in connection with the sinking of the freighter Lucona, which had been destroyed by a time bomb in the Indian Ocean on 23 January 1977. Six people were killed and six survived. The cargo, declared as valuable uranium-processing equipment and insured for more than 200 million Austrian schillings, was later shown to have consisted largely of scrap metal. The case became one of the largest political scandals in postwar Austria, involving years of obstruction, political intervention and a parliamentary investigation. Proksch was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment and died in prison in 2001.

Early life and career

Proksch was born in Rostock in 1934 and later moved to Austria. Under the name Serge Kirchhofer, he became successful as a designer, particularly in the field of eyewear. In the 1950s he was hired by the industrialist Wilhelm Anger after a design competition, and later became associated with brands such as Viennaline, Serge Kirchhofer and Carrera.

Proksch cultivated a public image as an eccentric, charismatic and provocative member of Viennese society. He founded and participated in several business ventures and operated a well-financed advertising studio in Vienna. His social rise culminated in his acquisition of Demel, the prestigious Viennese confectioner, which became closely associated with his public persona.

Lucona sinking

On 23 January 1977, the freighter Lucona sank in the Indian Ocean after an explosion near the Maldives. Six of the twelve people on board were killed. Proksch, whose company Zapata AG owned the cargo, claimed that the ship had been transporting valuable uranium-processing equipment and filed an insurance claim for approximately 212 million Austrian schillings, roughly US$20 million.

Suspicion soon arose that the sinking had not been an accident and that the cargo had been falsely declared. Investigators eventually concluded that the ship had carried scrap metal rather than valuable industrial equipment. According to later accounts, the ship had been deliberately sunk with a time bomb as part of an insurance fraud.

Flight, arrest and trial

After publication of Pretterebner's book and increasing legal pressure, Proksch fled to the Philippines. He underwent cosmetic surgery and used false papers while abroad. In 1989, he returned to Europe under a false identity but was recognized and arrested after arriving in Vienna.

On 11 March 1991, Proksch was convicted of murder and fraud and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The sentence was later increased to life imprisonment. He remained imprisoned at Graz-Karlau Prison until his death.

See also

  • Lucona
  • Club 45
  • Proksch

Notes and references

  • Netcyclo: Austrian history 1983 onwards
  • IMDb entry for Der Fall Lucona
  • Homepage of Udo 77

^Category:People convicted of murder by Austria