The knife attack on the mayor-elect of Herdecke, Iris Stalzer, who is in critical condition after suffering multiple injuries at her home, is causing shock in Germany. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon and has caused strong reactions on a political and social level.
Iris Stalzer, 57, who was elected mayor on September 28 and was due to take office on November 1, was found bleeding at her home in Herdecke, North Rhine-Westphalia. Police said she had been stabbed 13 times in the abdomen and back and was airlifted to a hospital in Bochum, where she is fighting for her life.
Doctors say Iris Stalcher remains in critical but stable condition after undergoing a lengthy surgery. The next 48 hours are considered crucial for her life.
The mayor was spotted by her son, who immediately notified authorities. Initially, the son claimed that his mother had been attacked “by several men” in the street. However, police found no evidence to support this story.
No traces of a break-in were found in the area, which led investigators to consider the possibility that the perpetrator belonged to her close family circle.
Her two stepchildren in custody – Her 17-year-old daughter identified as the main perpetrator
Authorities have taken into custody Stalcher's two stepchildren, ages 15 and 17, who were at the home at the time of the incident. While no charges have been filed, police said they are investigating all possible motives, including personal or family disputes.
According to public broadcaster WDR and the website Focus Online, suspicion initially fell on the 15-year-old son, who was taken away in handcuffs to prevent evidence from being lost. According to testimonies from neighbors, as reported by Bild, a heated argument was heard between Stalzer and her son before the emergency services were called.
Later, investigations and interrogations led to the 17-year-old adopted daughter, who is now identified as the main perpetrator of the attack.
At the same time, the family's recent past is revisited, as the 17-year-old daughter was allegedly involved in a knife incident at school a year ago. This element, although not officially confirmed, is being examined as a possible piece of the puzzle of the case.
Der Spiegel also revealed that a violent incident had already occurred at Stalzer's home last summer: the same teenager allegedly attacked her mother with a knife, although without serious consequences. The attack was recorded as a case of domestic violence and led to police intervention.
German police sources said there was no indication of a political motive. However, the case is being closely monitored by federal authorities because of Stalzer's status as an elected local official.
Police are conducting a thorough search of the mayor's residence, examining DNA, digital traces and telecommunications data. Authorities are not ruling out any possibility — from a family dispute to a premeditated attack.
Political reactions
Herdecke has fallen silent, with residents leaving flowers and messages outside the town hall. The case has sparked a wave of support across Germany, with the media closely following the progress of the investigations.
Iris Stalcher, a labor lawyer and member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), won the municipal elections in Herdecke at the end of September with 52,2% of the vote against conservative candidate Fabian Haas (CDU). She was due to take office on 1 November.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the attack as an "inhumane and sad act," expressing his solidarity with Stalzer's family and his wishes for a speedy recovery.
"Violence has no place in our democracy, whether it comes from political or personal motives," he stated characteristically.
Accordingly, local officials in North Rhine-Westphalia declared themselves shocked, while Germany's municipal associations called for increased protection measures for elected officials after a series of threats and attacks in recent years.
The attack comes as Germany struggles to tackle rising violence against politicians and public officials. In 2024 alone, nearly 6 in 10 elected officials said they had been threatened or attacked, according to surveys by municipal associations.
Stalcher's case reignites the debate about the protection of local authorities and hate speech that, as is estimated, reinforces social polarization in the country.
