Parents Charged with Murder of 15-Year-Old Daughter in Germany

DE
Published:

The parents of a 15-year-old girl found dead by the Rhine in Worms have been charged with murder, according to the Mainz public prosecutor. The indictment was filed against a 40-year-old father and his 34-year-old mother, who are accused of conspiring to kill their daughter on June 15, 2024.

The prosecution alleges that the mother first administered two opioid-containing tablets to the teenager, rendering her helpless, before placing a scarf around her neck. Subsequently, the father allegedly strangled the girl to unconsciousness, after which he threw her lifeless body into the river. The autopsy confirmed the cause of death as drowning combined with strangulation.

Investigators believe the parents felt their daughter's lifestyle posed a threat to family life, although they did not cite religious or cultural motivations for the alleged crime. Both parents are originally from Afghanistan and resided in Pirmasens.

Reports indicate that the father had a prior record of violence, including domestic abuse incidents reported by the mother. She had contacted the police expressing concern for her daughter’s safety shortly before the discovery of the girl's body. Both parents are currently in custody, and the Mainz court will soon decide on the formal proceedings.

Weekly Newsletter

News summary by melangenews

Loading...

More from Germany

Elon Musk Sparks Controversy with Remarks on Holocaust Remembrance in Germany

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has ignited a debate over Holocaust remembrance in Germany following remarks made at a campaign event for the far-right political party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Speaking via video link, Musk stated that Germany focuses excessively on its historical guilt, a sentiment that has raised concerns among historians and human rights advocates. His comments coincided with the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, prompting widespread criticism. Musk urged AfD supporters to "fight for a great future for Germany," aligning himself with a party known for its nationalist and revisionist views. According to officials and community leaders, such statements can undermine the significance of historical remembrance and may embolden right-wing extremist ideologies in Germany and neighboring Austria. The backlash has highlighted ongoing tensions surrounding the country's handling of its past, which remains a sensitive topic. Critics argue that Musk's involvement could further polarize the already contentious discourse surrounding memory politics in Germany, with historians urging a continued commitment to Holocaust education and remembrance.
DE

Holocaust Survivor Returns Medal in Protest Against Anti-Immigration Vote

Albrecht Weinberg, a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor, has announced he will return his federal order of merit to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in protest against the Bundestag's recent approval of an anti-immigration motion with support from the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). Expressing his horror, Weinberg stated, “What happened in the Bundestag on Wednesday reminded me of Germany in 1933” when Hitler rose to power through legitimate political means, according to *The Guardian*. The motion, backed by the conservative alliance of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), proposes new policies to turn away migrants at the German border and streamline deportations. Former Chancellor Angela Merkel criticized the decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a separation between mainstream parties and the far-right, a stance echoed by other political leaders and Holocaust survivors. Weinberg, who lost family members in Auschwitz, condemned the vote, drawing parallels to Nazi-era tactics against Jews. In a declaration of solidarity, fellow survivor Eva Umlauf also highlighted the dangers of mainstreaming extremist views, noting, “We all know how German politicians once thought they could cooperate with Hitler.”
DE

Teen Arrested for Fatal Stabbing of Father in Berlin

A tragic incident unfolded in Berlin-Marzahn on Thursday evening, as a 16-year-old boy reportedly fatally stabbed his 59-year-old father. According to police, the altercation occurred in the stairwell of a residential building on Liebensteiner Straße, where a witness alerted authorities after hearing loud screams around 5:30 PM. First responders arrived to find the man unresponsive; attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. The teenager, who has not been identified, was arrested on the upper floor of the building. Reports indicate that he attempted to revive his father prior to the police's arrival. Investigators recovered the weapon, which is currently undergoing forensic examination. Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind this shocking act, and an autopsy is planned to ascertain the details of the victim's injuries. The 6th homicide commission is leading the investigation and encourages anyone with information to come forward.
DE