Two female students murdered in Trier within a week, mayor expresses shock

A man writes in the condolence book placed on the Forum Square of Trier University. Source: Harald Tittel/dpa

A city is in shock: Just days after a 22-year-old was suddenly stabbed to death on the street by an Afghan, a 29-year-old woman has been found murdered in her apartment.

Two brutally killed students within a few days have caused shock and disbelief at Trier University. "These acts hit us in Trier with full force and shake the entire city," said Trier Mayor Wolfram Leibe (SPD). "The violence leaves us stunned, sad, and also angry."

The First Attack

On July 15, a 22-year-old student was stabbed to death near the university campus. A 22-year-old man from Afghanistan is suspected in this case. He is alleged to have attacked the same-aged student on the open street and fatally injured him. The perpetrator and victim did not know each other.

The Second Incident

On Sunday, a 29-year-old woman was found dead in her apartment in Trier. According to police, the injuries indicate a homicide. Investigations are ongoing. The woman had been reported missing by her mother.

Further details about possible suspects or the background of the crime are not yet known. "The investigations are still very extensive," a police spokeswoman told the German Press Agency. Police are asking witnesses who made suspicious observations near Nordallee between Friday afternoon and Sunday midday to come forward.

"Plunged into Deepest Sorrow Overnight"

The mayor expressed his sympathy and condolences to the relatives and friends. "Two young students who had their whole lives ahead of them were brutally killed, and their parents, friends, and families were plunged into deepest sorrow overnight," he said according to the statement.

Trier University is also in shock again after the death of the 29-year-old. "The news of a female student's death fills us with deep sadness and great disbelief," says a statement published on the university's website. Especially now, it is important to stick together as a community.

Memorial Event for the 29-Year-Old on Thursday

"Just days after the violent death of a student, this renewed event hits our university community with full force," the statement continues. Last Thursday, around 1,000 people gathered at the university in memory of the stabbed 22-year-old.

This Thursday at 12 p.m., there will be a memorial event for the 29-year-old in the chapel on Campus II of the university. From Wednesday, condolence books will be available at the university. Citizens can also sign a condolence book from the university in the foyer of the Bürgeramt am Viehmarkt from Wednesday (1:30 p.m.).

According to the city, this is also intended to be a sign of solidarity, connection, and sympathy from the city community with the Trier University community and the relatives of the two victims of the violent acts.

Dobrindt Reaffirms Deportation Course

Meanwhile, Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, after the fatal attack on the student in Trier, reaffirmed the intention to continue deporting criminals to Afghanistan. "I still consider this a necessary measure and will not let up in pushing these deportations to countries like Afghanistan," the CSU politician told journalists in Berlin. Society simply has a right to have criminals removed from the country.

dpa