Iris Stalzer sought help from the police shortly before the knife attack

Iris Stalzer had apparently felt threatened by her adopted daughter for some time. According to a report, the mayor of Herdecke visited a police station one day before the knife attack. The incident was again related to domestic violence.

Iris Stalzer, the mayor-elect of Herdecke, who was seriously injured in a knife attack, apparently contacted the police for help the day before the attack. According to information from the "Bild" newspaper, the 57-year-old SPD politician felt threatened by her adopted daughter and feared for her life.

On Monday, Stalzer reportedly appeared in person at the police station in Wetter/Ruhr. Her husband was away on a business trip at the time. "There were two personal contacts that day," a police spokesperson confirmed to the newspaper. "A case has been opened, and all necessary measures have been taken."

According to the report, domestic violence was again the issue. Stalzer has reportedly reported conflicts with her adopted daughter several times. Back in June, the politician reportedly wrote an open letter to the police and youth welfare office, describing her despair and feeling abandoned by the authorities. "We discussed the complaint with her and finally processed it," the police spokesperson said.

Attack out of revenge?

On Tuesday afternoon, the 17-year-old adopted daughter finally called 911 herself, claiming her mother had been attacked by several men. When paramedics arrived, they found Stalzer covered in blood in an armchair in the living room. She suffered 13 stab wounds to her upper body, as well as hematomas and skull fractures. At times, her life was in critical condition.

According to the report, Stalzer testified in the hospital that her adopted daughter was the perpetrator. She had attempted to set fire to her mother's hair and clothing using deodorant spray and a lighter. The daughter allegedly tortured her for hours in the basement and ultimately attacked her with two knives. Presumably, this was revenge because she felt marginalized and disadvantaged compared to her 15-year-old adopted son. During a search of the house, investigators found a knife used in the son's backpack and bloodstained clothing belonging to the daughter. Both teenagers were handed over to the youth welfare office.