Girl stabbed to death in woodlands by children in case that shocked Germany
Victim Luise had been knifed over 30 times and died due to severe loss of blood
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two schoolgirls, aged 12 and 13, are suspected of murdering a 12-year-old by stabbing her over 30 times in a German woodland in a case that has shocked the country.
German police said on Tuesday that two children are in custody suspected of killing a girl found dead earlier this week in the western town of Freudenberg.
The victim, who was only identified by her first name Luise due to privacy reasons, went missing on Saturday after visiting a friend and failing to return home.
Her parents tried to call her, but she didn’t pick up. Hours later, they reported her disappearance to the police, prompting an extensive search.
Luise's body was found covered in stab wounds in an area of woodland near a disused train station in Wildenburg, some two kilometres (1.2 miles) from her home, the following afternoon. An autopsy later gave her cause of death as exsanguination, severe loss of blood.
Senior public prosecutor Mario Mannweiler said at a press conference on 14 March: "The investigations carried out so far confirm the suspicion that the girl was the victim of a homicide."
He told reporters that “we must assume that the crime was committed by two children from the (victim’s) circle of acquaintances”.
The two suspected killers confessed to the killing, police officer Florian Locker said.
Citing the age of the suspects, officials refused to give any further details on their identity, gender, motive, or whether they knew the victim from school.
Commenting on the possible motive, Mannweiler said: "What may be a motive for a child to commit a deed may not necessarily be apparent to an adult."
But, referring to the number of perforations to the victim's body, he said it was likely "some emotions played a role".
Due to their youth, the two children are below the age of criminal responsibility which is 14 in Germany. They were therefore not arrested but taken into custody of a youth welfare office.
The governor of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Freudenberg is located, said he was appalled by the killing.
“North Rhine-Westphalia is grieving,” Hendrik Wuest said. “It is incomprehensible and unbearable that children are capable of such horrible acts.”
He promised that the authorities would do everything in their power to shed light on the reasons and circumstances of the crime.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments