Iris Stalzer, the newly elected mayor of Herdecke, Germany, was found in critical condition after being stabbed multiple times in her apartment by several men. The attack occurred following a reported domestic violence incident earlier this year involving her adopted daughter. Authorities are investigating the case while highlighting the broader context of rising knife-related violence in the region.
Stalzer, 57, a Social Democrat and labor lawyer, won last month’s runoff election with 52.2% of the vote to become mayor of Herdecke. She was found in her apartment with life-threatening injuries. The incident comes amid a sharp rise in knife-related violence across the region.
Stalzer was found by her adopted 15-year-old son, who told police she had been attacked by several men outside her home before she dragged herself back into the apartment, according to Bild. Her 17-year-old adopted daughter was reportedly also in the apartment during the attack.
The outlet went on to report that the boy was taken from the scene in handcuffs and wearing an evidence-preserving overall. Investigators said this was to prevent evidence from being covered up.
“We fear for the life of the mayor-designate and hope for her full recovery,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote on social media. He condemned the stabbing as “a terrible deed,” and insisted it be “swiftly investigated.”