Austrian probe of 10-year-old girl's 1998 kidnapping determines abductor likely worked alone

FILE - In this May 15, 2008 file picture former kidnapping victim Natascha Kampusch arrives at the main court in Graz, Austria . A group of International criminal experts will release a final report of the kidnapping case Monday April 15, 2013, Kampusch was held in a secret cellar by her kidnapper for more than eight years, until she escaped in August 2006. (AP Photo/Markus Leodolter,File) (The Associated Press)

VIENNA – An investigation into the 1998 kidnapping of a 10-year-old Austrian girl and her eight-year hostage ordeal has concluded that only one captor was likely involved — despite persistent theories that several people participated in her abduction.

Natascha Kampusch managed to escape captivity in 2006, eight years after being snatched off a Vienna street. An investigation then concluded that Wolfgang Priklopil, who committed suicide soon after, was guilty of the kidnapping.

A new probe was launched last year after another witness later said she saw two people abduct Kampusch, leading to other claims that Priklopil did not act alone.

FBI investigators joined German and Austrian crime specialists in the new probe. Its conclusions were presented Monday.

German investigator Joerg Ziercke says there's "a high degree of certainty" that Priklopil acted alone.