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

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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.

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