Overview

• Iris Stalzer, 57, was found seriously injured in her Herdecke-Herrentisch apartment by her son and was airlifted to hospital, according to reports.
• Local police issued a major alert and are conducting an active search for suspects, urging the public to share information.
• German media reports say she was attacked near her home by several men and suffered multiple stab wounds.
• A homicide squad is expected to take over the case, according to local reporting.
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the violence and expressed hopes for Stalzer’s recovery, as the newly elected SPD mayor had been due to take office in November after winning 52.2% of the vote.