Investigation Reveals Mayor Iris Stalzer Endured Prolonged Ordeal in Herdecke Attack

New information has emerged regarding the violent incident involving Herdecke's mayor, Iris Stalzer. According to recent police investigations, the circumstances of the attack were more severe than initially believed. Authorities now report that Mayor Stalzer, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), was subjected to a prolonged assault in the basement of her home, allegedly by her 17-year-old adoptive daughter.

On the day of the incident, emergency services received a call from the adoptive daughter, who claimed her mother had been assaulted and severely injured by several men. Upon arrival, first responders found Stalzer bleeding in a living room armchair. However, subsequent investigations contradicted this account. Stalzer was able to provide a statement to police, indicating that the injuries were inflicted by her adoptive daughter over several hours in the basement.

Reports indicate that the daughter attempted to set the mayor's hair and clothing on fire using a deodorant spray and a lighter. During the ordeal, the motive cited by the alleged perpetrator was revenge, though the specific cause remains under investigation. In addition to attempted arson, the teenager is accused of stabbing the mayor multiple times with two separate knives, causing life-threatening injuries.

Forensic teams discovered evidence at the scene suggesting that attempts were made to clean up significant blood traces prior to the emergency call. One of the weapons believed to have been used in the attack was later found in the rucksack of Stalzer's 15-year-old adoptive son, along with bloodstained clothing presumed to belong to the daughter.

Medical examinations conducted at a hospital in Bochum identified thirteen stab wounds to Stalzer's upper body, in addition to multiple bruises and skull fractures. The exact circumstances by which the mayor was moved from the basement to the living room remain unclear and are part of the ongoing investigation.

Further details have surfaced regarding the family situation. There were reportedly previous conflicts between the mayor and her adoptive children. An incident earlier in the summer involved police intervention after a dispute between Stalzer and her daughter, during which a knife was also present. Tensions with the adoptive son had also been noted, and authorities confirmed the children's father had previously been a victim of related incidents.

Despite the gravity of the attack, prosecutors are currently treating the case as aggravated assault rather than attempted homicide. The reasoning behind this decision is linked to the daughter's action of calling emergency services, which is being interpreted as a withdrawal from the crime. As a result, no arrest warrant has been issued at this stage.

The investigation into the sequence of events and the underlying family dynamics is ongoing, as law enforcement and social services continue to assess the situation to determine future custody arrangements and prevent further harm.