Iris Staltzer, mayor of the town of Herdecke in North Rhine-Westphalia and a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was found early Tuesday morning suffering from multiple stab wounds at her residence, local authorities confirmed.
Emergency responders discovered the 52-year-old politician alive but in life-threatening condition. She was rushed to hospital, where she remains in intensive care, according to regional broadcaster WDR.
Children raised the alarm
Police reports indicate that Staltzer’s two adopted children, aged 15 and 17, were at home at the time of the incident and called emergency services after finding their mother severely injured.
According to Bild, her teenage son reportedly told officers that his mother had been attacked by “several men” on the street before she managed to crawl back inside the house.
Investigators have so far not confirmed any suspects or motive. The surrounding area has been cordoned off while forensic teams collect evidence.
Background: Prior domestic incident reported
The weekly magazine Spiegel reported that earlier this summer there had been a domestic-violence incident in the same household, during which the 17-year-old daughter allegedly attacked her mother with a knife.
Authorities have not stated whether this earlier case is connected to Tuesday’s attack, but the detail has added complexity to the ongoing investigation.
A newly elected mayor
Staltzer had been elected only recently, winning the run-off election on 28 September with 52.2 percent of the vote against Fabian Konrad Haas of the conservative CDU.
Her victory was celebrated as a success for the SPD in a region traditionally dominated by conservatives.
Political leaders react
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed deep shock and sympathy on social media, writing: “We have learned of a heinous act from Herdecke. It must be fully investigated immediately. We fear for the life of the elected mayor Iris Staltzer and hope for her complete recovery.”
Merz added that his thoughts were with her family and colleagues, stressing that justice must be swift and transparent.
Police investigation continues
Authorities in North Rhine-Westphalia have launched a large-scale investigation, deploying homicide specialists and forensic units.
The residential building remains sealed off, and police have appealed to witnesses for information.
Residents of Herdecke have expressed shock and disbelief over the attack, calling it “unthinkable” that such violence could strike an elected official in their quiet town.
Community in shock
The municipality has opened a crisis-support line for residents and city-hall employees. Local councillors said the incident had “deeply shaken the sense of security” in the community.
No further details have been released about possible suspects or the mayor’s current medical condition.
