On October 7, a tragic incident in the peaceful German town of Laufan shocked the nation. Iris Stalzer, the newly elected mayor of Herdecke in North Rhine-Westphalia, was brutally stabbed multiple times in her own home, leaving her in critical condition despite being rushed to the hospital. The primary suspect, astonishingly, was her 15-year-old adopted son.
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This news has left the German public in disbelief and mourning. People are grappling with the question of what could have turned a seemingly warm family environment into such a devastating tragedy. Stalzer, 57, was known as a respected community leader who had earned public trust through her pragmatic, calm, and determined approach. She had won the mayoral election with a clear mandate just last month and was scheduled to take office in November. Her platform focused on community unity and youth education, earning her the affectionate title of the “maternal mayor.”
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However, before she could assume her new role, this unexpected family tragedy darkened her life. Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his shock, condemning the violence and expressing hopes for Stalzer’s full recovery. According to reports, neighbors first heard screams and fighting sounds on the day of the incident and immediately called the police. When officers arrived, they found Stalzer lying in her living room, bloodied, with 13 stab wounds to her chest and abdomen. A kitchen knife was found at the scene, with no signs of forced entry. Stalzer was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
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Her 15-year-old adopted son was taken into custody at the scene, his hands cuffed and covered with a blue blanket. The boy was adopted years ago by Stalzer and her husband from Eastern Europe, and had lived with his mother. At the time of the incident, there were no other adults in the house. Neighbors described the boy as introverted and occasionally emotionally unstable, though there appeared to be no major issues between him and his mother. Police have not disclosed a motive, but they suspect the stabbing may be linked to family conflicts, psychological issues, or disciplinary problems.
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Stalzer also had a 17-year-old adopted daughter, who had been involved in a previous incident in which she allegedly threatened Stalzer with a knife earlier this year. The police chief described the case as extremely complex and heartbreaking, and authorities are conducting psychological evaluations and questioning the young suspect. Due to the boy’s age, his identity has not been revealed, and the investigation is also looking into whether third-party influences or online encouragement may have played a role.
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The case has sparked a national conversation in Germany about family dynamics and youth mental health. Many are struggling to understand how a woman who had dedicated her life to serving others could fall victim to such violence from her own child. Social media users expressed their sorrow, with some noting, “She dedicated her life to other people’s children, only to be destroyed by her own.” Others have called for a greater focus on the hidden dangers of adolescent mental health issues in modern society.Some, however, have speculated that Stalzer’s parenting methods, especially with her adopted children, might have contributed to the tragic turn of events.
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