Iris Stalzer (SPD), newly elected mayor of the city of Herdecke in western Germany, was found yesterday in her home with life-threatening stab wounds. Police currently rule out a political motive and instead suspect the incident is connected to her family.
In Herdecke, a smaller city in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of western Germany, 57-year-old Iris Stalzer was found with multiple life-threatening stab wounds in her apartment on Tuesday.
According to information from her adoptive son, she was attacked outdoors by several men, but despite the severe injuries managed to retreat to her home. Politicians from across Germany quickly condemned the attack and expressed concern for Iris Stalzer’s health.
Police have launched a major investigation and currently rule out that the attack had a political motive, instead suspecting that the perpetrator is actually within her own family circle.
Stalzer’s two adoptive children, a 15-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter, have been brought in for questioning and further investigation. Recent reports indicate that it is the 15-year-old adoptive son who has been arrested as the suspect for the attempted murder.
BREAKING:
Iris Stalzer, the Mayor of Herdecke in Germany, was stabbed 13 times in the abdomen and back today.
Her 15-year-old adoptive son is now being held by the police as the primary suspect in the case pic.twitter.com/XieNNdr0CY
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) October 7, 2025
History of reported domestic violence
During the year, incidents of domestic violence have been reported at Stalzer’s home, and police have previously been called to the residence due to violent incidents.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called the act a “despicable attack” and expressed hope for Stalzer’s swift recovery. He has also directed his thoughts to her family and relatives.
Stalzer belongs to the Social Democrats (SPD) and she won the mayoral election with 52.2 percent of the votes, breaking the Christian Democrats’ long rule in Herdecke. The small city of around 23,000 inhabitants has now gathered in concern over the serious attack.
This is far from the first time German politicians have been victims of violence. Historically, similar serious attacks have shaken the country and contributed to a growing debate about the safety of public representatives.
The investigation continues with forensic analyses and the murder investigation unit in the nearby city of Hagen has reportedly taken over the investigation.