On a quiet Tuesday afternoon in early October, the town of Herdecke in western Germany was rocked by news that its newly elected mayor, Iris Stalzer, had been found at home with multiple stab wounds. What initially appeared to be a shocking act of violence against a local politician soon took an even more startling turn: the primary suspect was her own teenage daughter.
According to police and multiple news outlets, including The Associated Press and Sky News, emergency services were alerted shortly after midday on October 7, 2025, by Stalzer’s 17-year-old daughter. She reported that her mother had been seriously wounded outside the house in what she described as an attempted robbery. However, when officers arrived at the scene, the evidence told a different story. Stalzer, 57, was found sitting in a chair in her living room, suffering from multiple stab wounds. She was quickly airlifted to a hospital by helicopter, and by the following day, authorities confirmed that her life was no longer in danger.
As investigators combed through the scene, they found two knives and clothing believed to have been used in the attack. Signs of a struggle were discovered in the cellar, and Stalzer’s discarded clothes were found nearby, according to DW. Both her 17-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son were taken into custody for questioning. The family’s ordeal was just beginning to come into focus.
During questioning from her hospital bed on Tuesday evening, Stalzer named her daughter as the suspect. Police investigator Jens Rautenberg said, “Stalzer pointed to her daughter as the suspect,” as reported by AP and Sky News. Prosecutor Bernd Haldorn, speaking at a press conference in the nearby city of Hagen, explained that the case was being treated as one of bodily harm, rather than attempted murder. Haldorn noted that the conditions for pretrial detention of the 17-year-old daughter had not been met, citing that she had made the emergency call herself and did not appear to be a flight risk or likely to repeat the offense. As a result, both children were expected to be released into the care of youth welfare authorities while the investigation continued.
The motive for the attack remains unclear. Investigators have been tight-lipped about the nature of the family conflict that may have led to the stabbing, stating only that it involved two minors and was still under investigation. Rautenberg declined to comment further on the possible motive, emphasizing that this aspect was not yet resolved. However, reporting from WDR and Spiegel revealed that police had previously been called to Stalzer’s home several times due to reports of domestic violence. Notably, an incident earlier in the summer had involved Stalzer’s daughter attacking her with a knife, suggesting a troubled family dynamic that may have escalated over time.
Despite the high-profile nature of the case—Stalzer is a public figure and a member of the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD)—investigators were quick to rule out a political motive. The attack follows a series of violent incidents targeting local politicians in Germany in recent years, including the murder of conservative politician Walter Lübcke in 2019, which had raised concerns about the safety of public officials. But in this case, police found no evidence linking the assault to Stalzer’s political activities or recent electoral victory.
Stalzer’s election as mayor was itself a significant event for Herdecke, a town of about 23,000 residents nestled in the Ruhr region between Hagen and Dortmund. She won the runoff election on September 28, 2025, with 52.2% of the vote, defeating center-right Christian Democrat candidate Fabian Conrad Haas. The Social Democrats’ victory marked a shift in local politics, as the Christian Democrats had previously held the mayoral office for many years. Stalzer, an employment lawyer by profession, was due to take office on November 1, and her inauguration ceremony was originally planned for November 4.
The attack drew swift condemnation from across the political spectrum. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his concern on social media, stating, “It must be swiftly investigated. We fear for the life of the mayor-designate and hope for her full recovery.” The SPD, Stalzer’s own party, released a statement expressing deep shock over the incident and calling for support for their colleague during her recovery.
As the investigation unfolded, attention turned to the fate of the two teenagers at the center of the case. Prosecutor Bernd Haldorn explained that the youth welfare office would now be responsible for deciding on any further measures regarding the children, given their ages and the circumstances. The German legal system places a strong emphasis on rehabilitation and welfare for minors, especially in cases involving family violence. Haldorn stated, “Police and prosecutors at present intend to release the children and put them in the hands of the youth welfare office, which would decide on further measures while the investigation continues.”
The case has also highlighted the pressures and vulnerabilities faced by public officials in Germany, particularly at the local level. In recent years, several mayors and local politicians have been targeted in violent attacks, raising questions about the adequacy of protections and support systems for those in public service. While the Stalzer case does not appear to have a political motive, its prominence in the national conversation is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who step into the public eye.
For the people of Herdecke, the incident has cast a pall over what should have been a moment of civic pride and renewal. Instead, the town finds itself grappling with the aftermath of a deeply personal tragedy that has unfolded in the public spotlight. As the investigation continues and more details emerge, the community—and the nation—waits for answers, hoping that healing and resolution will follow in due course.
As of now, Iris Stalzer is recovering from her injuries, her children are in the care of youth authorities, and Herdecke’s political future remains in limbo. The story serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities that can lie behind closed doors, even in the homes of those who lead our communities.
