STABBED German mayor Iris Stalzer accused her own adopted 17-year-old daughter of being her frenzied attacker, according to prosecutors.
The bombshell revelation comes as a bloodied knife and clothing were reportedly found in the 15-year-old adopted son’s bedroom.
Stalzer, 57, mayor of Herdecke in western Germany, was left fighting for her life after being brutally stabbed 13 times in the stomach and back, inside her own apartment.
Despite also suffering severe blunt-force injuries to her skull, Stalzer’s condition was this morning mercifully revealed to be stable.
A special homicide squad was put onto the case and soon announced a “family connection” was suspected.
Today, prosecutors said the answers Stalzer gave to police “incriminated” her daughter after both kids were taken in by officers.
Bild reported this afternoon that a kitchen knife – the suspected murder weapon – and another knife were found in her 15-year-old adopted son’s backpack.
However, there was also blood-stained clothing found, and it is the daughter being officially treated as a suspect.
Senior public prosecutor Bernd Haldorn said: “We have the victim’s statement. And the daughter has been named as the perpetrator.”
Prosecutors also revealed the attack unfolded in the basement, rather than outside as the children initially claimed.
Forensic investigators also found that large blood stains appeared to have been cleaned up before the emergency call was made.
Stalzer is said to have dragged herself up to the ground floor.
A neighbour heard chilling screams – now understood to be have been from the moment of the attack.
The 17-year-old first called the emergency services, and the son told cops that “several men” had attacked his mum outside.
Prosecutors added that an arrest warrant will not be issued due to laws around juvenile suspects.
Rather, both children will be released and handed over to the youth welfare office.
An argument which escalated between the mother and daughter a few weeks ago reportedly ended with the girl lunging with a knife at Stalzer, Der Spiegel reported.
It’s not clear where the son was during either of these alleged attacks.
Stalzer’s adopted son initially told police that he found his mum inside their home following the brutal attack.
He claimed that “multiple men were involved in the stabbing”.
However, police later ascertained that it had happened inside.
Stalzer had only been elected mayor for the 22,500-inhabitant town in the Ruhr region after a runoff vote on September 28.
She narrowly won with 52.2 per cent of the vote against centre-right Christian Democrat candidate Fabian Conrad Haas.
Her term of office is set to begin on November 1.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), spoke about the attack on social media: “We have received news of a terrible deed in Herdecke,”
“It must be swiftly investigated. We fear for the life of the mayor-designate and hope for her full recovery.”
