Ex-police officer kills father-in-law and wounds mother-in-law in Świętokrzyskie village; manhunt enters second day
A 49-year-old former police officer stabbed his 80-year-old father-in-law to death and severely wounded his 76-year-old mother-in-law on Friday afternoon in Mierzawa, southern Poland. The suspect remains at large as police enter the second day of a large-scale manhunt.
Attack in Mierzawa
The attack unfolded on 19 June shortly after 4 p.m. in the village of Mierzawa, Jędrzejów County. A 49-year-old man argued with his wife at home, then left to search for her after she walked out. Believing she had gone to her parents’ house, he entered and attacked both in-laws with a knife. The 80-year-old man died from his wounds at the scene. His 76-year-old wife was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
I must confirm these reports, he is a former police officer.
The Jędrzejów district police confirmed the suspect had previously served in the force, reportedly leaving in 2023. The ex‑officer fled before the first patrol arrived, prompting a full-scale manhunt.
Casualties and medical response
The elderly couple was attacked in their home. Despite efforts to save him, the 80‑year‑old man died of knife wounds. A medical helicopter airlifted the injured woman to a hospital in Kraków, roughly 100 km away.
She underwent life-saving surgery overnight. She is alive but her condition remains very serious.
Doctors operated during the night of 19–20 June. The hospital has not yet offered a long‑term prognosis.
Manhunt operations
The county police commander declared an alert for all sworn officers shortly after the crime. Officers from the regional prevention unit in Kielce joined local patrols. Search teams are using tracking dogs and drones to comb woods, farmland and the homes of acquaintances. The suspect’s wife and 15‑year‑old son have been placed under police protection.
At this moment we do not have permission to release the suspect’s image.
Authorities have asked the public to avoid the search area and to report any sightings immediately. By 20 June the operation had moved into its second consecutive day.
What is known about the suspect
Police describe the man as a 49‑year‑old resident of Mierzawa and a former officer who left the service in 2023, though that detail has not been officially confirmed. His name has not been made public. Investigators are reconstructing the couple’s final argument and the exact sequence of events under the supervision of a prosecutor. No motive beyond the domestic dispute has been disclosed.
- After a domestic argument, a 49-year-old man attacks his in-laws with a knife, killing his 80-year-old father-in-law and seriously injuring his 76-year-old mother-in-law.
- Police receive a call around 4 p.m.; the suspect flees before patrols arrive. The county police commander declares an alert and launches a manhunt with support from Kielce units, dogs and drones.
- The injured woman is airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Kraków.
- Manhunt continues; the suspect remains at large. Police confirm the attacker is a former officer and protect his wife and 15-year-old son.
