Iris Stalzer is now pointing to her 17-year-old adopted daughter as the suspect in the brutal knife attack in Stalzer’s home, according to fresh information. Police say the investigation’s focus remains on some form of family conflict and not political violence.
In the city of Herdecke in western Germany, the investigation continues after newly elected mayor Iris Stalzer (SPD) was stabbed severely in her home earlier this week.
Police and Stalzer are now pointing to her 17-year-old adopted daughter as the main suspect in the attack, reports Die Welt.
Stalzer was severely injured and received 13 stab wounds, including to her torso and lungs. After the attack, she managed to reach safety in the house where she was later found and received immediate medical care.
She is still being treated in hospital but according to reports, her condition has stabilized and she is no longer in life-threatening condition.

Police found several suspected knives in the children’s room. They also discovered bloodstains on clothing believed to belong to the adopted daughter as well as traces of blood cleaning in the residence.
The 15-year-old adopted son remains under police investigation but is not being identified as the main suspect.
Messerangriff in Herdecke: Stalzer nennt Adoptivtochter als Täterin https://t.co/sirUrPaY97 pic.twitter.com/vJ5CQ5vI2j
— ℝℕℂℝ ™️ (@Eiernockerln) October 9, 2025
In the year before the attack, several incidents of family violence have been reported and police have been called to the family’s residence on repeated occasions.
Police now rule out a political motive behind the knife attack and see family conflicts as the main lead in the investigation.
The investigation continues intensively and the murder investigation unit in Hagen is leading the work to secure evidence and clarify motives.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz quickly condemned the attack and expressed hope for Stalzer’s swift recovery.