It is a shock that reaches far beyond the Ruhr region: the mayor of Herdecke, Iris Stalzer (non-party), was seriously injured with several stab wounds in her home on Friday morning. Shortly afterwards, the police arrested her 17-year-old adopted son. He is now being investigated for attempted murder.
According to the investigators, the crime took place on Friday morning in the Stalzer family home in a quiet residential area. The police received the emergency call at around 10 am. Officers found the mayor with serious stab wounds in the entrance area of the house. She was immediately taken to hospital and underwent emergency surgery. According to Spiegel, her condition is now stable and her life is out of danger.
The Hagen homicide squad and the Dortmund public prosecutor’s office took over the investigation. The 17-year-old was arrested at the scene of the crime. The family’s second adopted child, a 15-year-old girl, was also temporarily questioned and is now under the care of the youth welfare office. According to initial findings, the suspect is said to have stabbed his mother several times during a violent family argument.
October 07, 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia, Herdecke: Police officers bring a teenager into a police car. The newly elected mayor of Herdecke, Iris Stalzer (SPD), has been found seriously injured in her apartment. According to security sources, she had been stabbed several times | Source: Getty Images
According to Spiegel, “a violent family conflict” is said to have occurred in the morning. Shortly afterwards, neighbors heard loud shouting and banging. A local resident told BILD:
“There was arguing and shouting. Then it was suddenly quiet. The police arrived shortly afterwards.”
He described the scene as “chaotic and full of horror”. Shortly after the shouts, several patrol cars and an ambulance drove up. Officers cordoned off the street and secured evidence in the house. The suspected murder weapon, a kitchen knife, was confiscated and examined for DNA traces.
After the arrest, the 17-year-old was medically examined and then taken to a youth detention center. A spokesperson for the Dortmund public prosecutor’s office said that they were investigating attempted manslaughter and were examining the accused’s mental state. An expert opinion on culpability had already been commissioned.
The mayor has been at the helm of the city since 2020 and is considered committed and close to the people. Her commitment to social projects and youth work has earned her a lot of support. This makes the outrage among the population all the greater. Many residents were stunned by the news that their adopted son, of all people, was a suspect in the crime.
HERDECKE, GERMANY – OCTOBER 07: Police stand near the home of the mayor-elect of Herdecke, Iris Stalzer, after she was stabbed to death by unknown persons on October 07, 2025 in Herdecke, Germany | Source: Getty Images
The case is also being discussed on social networks. Influencer and blogger Anabel Schunke commented on Facebook:
“If this is true … wow. What a pain that must be. You take in children, adopt them, give them everything you have – and then something like this.”
Her words reflect the dismay of many people following the case. Numerous comments under her post expressed sympathy and bewilderment. Politicians and colleagues from the town hall were also deeply shocked and wished Stalzer a speedy recovery.
Firefighters and rescue workers transport Iris Stalzer, the newly elected mayor of Herdecke, on a stretcher before she is taken away by helicopter after she was seriously injured in a knife attack in Herdecke, western Germany, October 7, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
According to Der Spiegel, the mayor was able to speak to investigators shortly after the operation. No details of the content of this statement were published. Her condition is said to be stable and she is receiving medical and psychological care.
The investigation is continuing and a warrant for the arrest of the 17-year-old could be issued in the next few days. The public prosecutor’s office emphasized that all traces and backgrounds are being carefully evaluated. Meanwhile, the city is stunned and saddened by an act that has broken up a committed politician and a family at the same time.
