Wife stabbed to death in Gelsenkirchen: horror in front of the eyes of the children!

Wife stabbed to death in Gelsenkirchen: horror in front of the eyes of the children!

The trial began at the Essen regional court against a 31-year-old Romanian father who is said to have killed his 20-year-old wife with 20 knife stabs on July 12, 2022 in Gelsenkirchen. The cruel act took place in front of their children, including an eight-month-old and a three-year-old son. The defendant emphasized in a statement read by his defense attorney that he had “brutally destroyed all of our lives” and said he could not remember the events but did not deny his responsibility. During the hearing, the defendant was overwhelmed by fits of tears and did not make any personal statement.

The public prosecutor's office assumes that an argument about the wife's impending separation was the trigger for the tragedy. According to reports, the accused did not accept his wife's intention to separate and brutally attacked her while she was already on the ground. Before the crime, both had often argued violently, which led to physical arguments in the marriage. What is worrying is that after the crime, the defendant fled by car towards Belgium and left his children in the apartment.

Conflicts and family backgrounds

The situation surrounding the trial not only affected the immediate family, but also mobilized a larger network of relatives. Numerous family members from Kosovo and Kurdistan were present at the verdict. They gathered in front of the court, which led to dangerous arguments that had to be quickly broken up by police officers. The public prosecutor's office is also investigating possible acts of revenge in connection with the conflicts between the families.

This tragedy is part of a worrying trend, as more than 700 people in Germany experience domestic violence every day. In 2023 alone, 256,276 victims of domestic violence were recorded, representing an increase of 6.5% compared to the previous year. Federal Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus pointed out that a woman dies every other day due to intimate partner violence. The majority of victims, approximately 70.5%, are women, while over 80% of perpetrators are men. This highlights the urgent need for action to combat domestic violence.

Political measures and offers of help

The federal government has already taken steps to support victims of violence. Planned additions to the Violence Protection Act are to be introduced, including mandatory anti-violence training for perpetrators. In this context, a violence relief law is also being prepared, which is intended to ensure access to protection and advice for those affected. Emergency numbers such as 110 for immediate danger and helplines such as “Violence against Women” (116 016) offer low-threshold support for those affected.

The sentencing trial is expected in early May 2024, and society looks forward with concern and hope that lessons will be learned from such tragedies and that affected women and children will receive the necessary support.