Shocking Family Violence Rocks German Town
In a dramatic turn of events that has shocked the small German town of Herdecke, newly elected mayor Iris Stalzer has identified her own 17-year-old daughter as the perpetrator of a brutal stabbing attack that left the 57-year-old politician fighting for her life. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has revealed a complex web of family conflict and deception that has captivated the nation.
Initial Deception Unravels
The case began when emergency services received a call from the 17-year-old daughter reporting that her mother had been attacked during an attempted robbery outside their home. 'She claimed her mother was wounded in a street robbery, but our investigation quickly revealed inconsistencies,' said police spokesperson during a press conference. 'There were no signs of a struggle outside the property, and the evidence pointed to an indoor attack.'
Authorities discovered that Stalzer had actually been stabbed in the basement of her home before managing to drag herself to the ground floor. Two knives and blood-stained clothing were seized from the residence, providing crucial forensic evidence. The mayor was found sitting in a chair with multiple stab wounds and was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
Family Dynamics Under Scrutiny
The investigation took a dramatic turn when Stalzer, while receiving medical treatment, identified her daughter as the attacker. This contradicted initial statements from her 15-year-old son, who had claimed his mother told him she was attacked by a group of men. Both children were detained in handcuffs and taken to the police station for questioning.
'The role of the son remains unclear at this stage,' investigators noted, adding that they were treating the case as serious bodily harm without political motivation. Police revealed they had been called to the family home previously for domestic incidents, including an incident during the summer where the daughter allegedly attacked with a knife.
Political Fallout and Recovery
Stalzer, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), had been elected mayor in a runoff vote on September 28th and was due to take office on November 1st. Her election represented a significant political achievement in the town of approximately 23,000 residents located in Germany's industrial Ruhr region.
'It's all still very fresh,' said local SPD faction leader Klaus Klostermann. 'The most important thing right now is that Stalzer recovers.' The town administration expressed shock at the violent attack on their newly elected leader.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned what he called an 'abominable act' and expressed concern for Stalzer's life. The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of political violence in Germany, where recent studies show 60% of politicians have experienced violence at least once.
Legal Proceedings and Youth Welfare
Authorities announced that both children would likely be transferred to youth welfare services rather than remaining in police custody. 'We want to keep the father out of this case because he has previously been a victim,' police stated, though they did not elaborate on what this meant.
The case represents a tragic intersection of domestic violence and local politics, raising questions about the pressures faced by public officials and their families. As Stalzer continues her recovery out of life-threatening danger, the community of Herdecke grapples with the shocking revelation that their new mayor's attack came from within her own family.
According to European news sources, the investigation continues as authorities piece together the events that led to this family tragedy in the picturesque town known as 'the city between the Ruhr lakes.'