New details have emerged about the attack on Tuesday against the newly elected mayor of Herdecke, Iris Stalzer. The 57-year-old was stabbed several times in her home. It was initially reported that she was injured outside, but authorities believe the incident took place inside the apartment and the suspects are the mayor's two adopted children.
Authorities found two knives, one in Stalzer's 15-year-old son's room and the other in his backpack, which had blood stains on it. Police also found blood-stained clothing that they believe belonged to the 17-year-old girl.
Investigators also found that attempts had been made to clean the area before the emergency call, but blood stains were rediscovered using scientific methods. Doctors managed to stabilize her condition, but did not completely rule out a life-threatening condition, as vital organs, including her lungs, had been damaged.
According to the head of the Homicide Directorate, Jens Rautenberg, Stalzer herself, from the hospital, named her 17-year-old daughter as responsible for the attack. The relationship between mother and daughter had been tense in the past. Last summer, there had been a serious incident between them. Tensions also seemed to exist with the 15-year-old son.
On Wednesday, the day after the attack, police authorities continued their investigation at the mayor's house in the Herdecke-Herrendis district. The prosecutor's office announced that the case is no longer being treated as attempted murder, but as grievous bodily harm, so no arrest warrants have been issued. The two minors are expected to be released and placed under the supervision of Juvenile Services.
