HERDECKE, GERMANY – Iris Stalzer, the recently elected mayor of Herdecke, Germany, is recovering in a local hospital after sustaining multiple stab wounds in a brutal assault at her home earlier this week. The 57-year-old politician, who was in critical condition following the attack on Tuesday, has since identified her 17-year-old adopted daughter as her assailant, according to police and prosecutors. The revelation has sent shockwaves through the quiet town and highlights a deeply personal tragedy behind a crime that initially sparked fears of politically motivated violence.
The Attack and Urgent Medical Response
The violent incident unfolded on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, around noon at Stalzer's residence in Herdecke, a community of approximately 23,000 residents in North Rhine-Westphalia. Emergency services were initially alerted by Stalzer's daughter, who reported that her mother had been gravely wounded during an attempted robbery outside their house. However, when police arrived at the scene, they found Stalzer inside her home, seated in a chair with numerous stab wounds, indicating the attack had occurred indoors, contrary to the initial report.
Stalzer, a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) and a labor lawyer by profession, was found with severe injuries, including an estimated 13 stab wounds primarily to her upper body, and head trauma from a blunt object. Several vital organs, including a lung, were reportedly injured. She was airlifted to Knappschaft University Hospital in Bochum, where she underwent emergency surgery. Her condition was initially described as critical and life-threatening, with doctors expressing concerns for her survival. By Wednesday, however, authorities confirmed that Stalzer was out of immediate danger and her condition had stabilized, though she remains in recovery.
Daughter Identified as Suspect Amidst Investigation
The investigation quickly shifted focus from an external robbery to an internal family matter. Investigators discovered signs of a struggle in the cellar of the home, alongside discarded, blood-stained clothing believed to belong to Stalzer and her 17-year-old adopted daughter. Two knives, a kitchen knife and another blade, were found in the 15-year-old adopted son's room, one with traces of blood in his backpack. Authorities also noted attempts had been made to clean the crime scene before the emergency call was placed, with forensic methods later detecting blood traces.
Both of Stalzer's adopted children, her 17-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son, were detained for questioning. The son was initially taken into custody to prevent the covering up of evidence. The critical breakthrough in the case came Tuesday evening when Stalzer, despite her severe injuries, was able to speak with investigators from her hospital bed. During this questioning, she explicitly identified her 17-year-old adopted daughter as the individual responsible for the attack.
Following Stalzer's identification, Senior Public Prosecutor Bernd Haldorn indicated that the case is currently being treated as one of grievous bodily harm. Despite the gravity of the accusation, the 17-year-old daughter will not be held in pre-trial detention, as prosecutors determined that the necessary legal grounds for custody were not met. Both children have since been placed in the care of the youth welfare office, which will determine further measures as the investigation continues.
A Troubling Domestic History and Community Impact
While the attack on a newly elected public official initially raised concerns about political motives, investigators quickly ruled out such possibilities. Instead, the focus has squarely landed on a troubling history of domestic conflict within the family. Reports indicate that police had been called to Stalzer's residence on multiple occasions in the past due to reports of domestic violence. Just weeks prior to this week's stabbing, there was an alleged incident where the adopted daughter had lunged at Stalzer with a knife, providing a grim premonition of the recent violence.
Iris Stalzer was elected mayor of Herdecke on September 28, defeating a conservative opponent in a closely contested election. She was scheduled to officially take office on November 1. Colleagues and residents describe her as a compassionate and community-focused leader. The attack has deeply shocked the small town of Herdecke and drawn condemnation from across Germany's political spectrum, with officials expressing dismay and concern for Stalzer's well-being. Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it a "terrible deed" and hoped for her full recovery. The incident also adds to broader anxieties about the safety of public officials in Germany, where a recent study revealed that 60% of politicians had experienced violence at least once. However, the specifics of this case underscore a distinct and profound personal tragedy.
A Community Grapples with Unforeseen Violence
As Iris Stalzer continues her recovery, the community of Herdecke is left to grapple with the shocking details of the attack on its incoming leader. The incident serves as a stark reminder that violence can emerge from the most unexpected and intimate corners of life. While the immediate danger to Stalzer has passed, the long-term emotional and familial repercussions for all involved are likely to be profound. The youth welfare office and judicial system will now navigate the complex path forward for the children, while the town of Herdecke comes to terms with the personal tragedy that has befallen its newly elected mayor. The investigation remains active, seeking to fully understand the dynamics and motives behind this deeply unsettling event.
