Daughter of Herdecke SPD Mayor Stalzer charged over knife attack
The 17-year-old daughter of Herdecke mayor Iris Stalzer is facing court on charges of grievous bodily harm. The attack occurred on 7 October 2025.
Charges against daughter of Iris Stalzer following knife attack in Herdecke
The Hagen public prosecutor's office has brought charges of grievous bodily harm against the 17-year-old daughter of SPD politician Iris Stalzer. This was reported by the responsible senior public prosecutor from Hagen and the teenager's lawyer to the news agency dpa, as DER SPIEGEL (Justice & Crime) reports.
On 7 October 2025, the attack on Stalzer took place in the family home in Herdecke. According to the public prosecutor's office, the daughter is alleged to have inflicted several stab wounds on her mother using two different knives. She is also said to have struck the municipal politician's head with an object. Stalzer suffered a broken nasal bone.
The 58-year-old mayor recovered quickly from her injuries and was sworn into office in early November 2025.
The Hagen district court is now reviewing whether the charges should be admitted. Since the accused was a minor at the time of the alleged offence, any potential trial would be held in closed proceedings.
The teenager has been under strong suspicion of the offence from the outset; an arrest warrant was issued against her for grievous bodily harm. The public prosecutor's office did not establish intent to kill. It is also established that the daughter herself called the emergency services.
The accused has made no statement regarding the charges so far. The investigator declined to comment on a possible motive, citing the accused's juvenile age.
Investigations were also initially conducted against the teenager's brother. However, investigations against him were discontinued because, according to the senior public prosecutor, he was not involved in the incident.
According to police, there had been conflicts within the family for some time. Mother and children are said to have reported each other to police for domestic violence.
The teenager's lawyer told dpa that his client was briefly placed in a psychiatric facility after the act and was later assessed as mentally fit to stand trial by an expert. Her current whereabouts are kept secret for her protection. According to the lawyer's assessment, the charge of grievous bodily harm clearly shows that there was no intent to kill.