A recently elected mayor of a town was discovered at her residence with stab injuries, with detectives suspecting her teenage daughter of the attack. Iris Stalzer, 57, won the mayoral election in Herdecke, a town in western Germany, and was set to assume office on November 1. Authorities were notified by her daughter about the incident, stating that Ms. Stalzer was severely wounded outside her home during an attempted robbery.
Upon arrival at the scene, the police found Ms. Stalzer with multiple stab wounds indoors. She was promptly airlifted to a hospital for medical attention. Following an update, the police confirmed her condition had stabilized and shifted their focus to her teenage daughter. Investigative efforts revealed two knives and clothing suspected to be involved in the assault, leading to the apprehension of Ms. Stalzer’s 17-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son.
During questioning, Ms. Stalzer identified her daughter as the alleged perpetrator, as stated by police investigator Jens Rautenberg. Details regarding the underlying family conflict preceding the attack were not immediately disclosed. At a press conference in Hagen, prosecutor Bernd Haldorn refrained from speculating on a motive, indicating ongoing investigations. The authorities intend to release the children into the care of the youth welfare office while the inquiry progresses.
The assault on Ms. Stalzer, amidst previous violence against local politicians in Germany, elicited condemnation from Chancellor Friedrich Merz and others. Chancellor Merz expressed concern for Ms. Stalzer’s well-being and urged a prompt investigation. Notably, Ms. Stalzer, an employment lawyer affiliated with the Social Democrats, clinched the mayoral seat defeating a rival from the Christian Democrats, with no indications of a political motive discovered.
In the aftermath of the incident, Herdecke witnessed heightened police presence, with a helicopter transporting Ms. Stalzer to the hospital.
