'Incomprehensible': German schoolgirls suspected of stabbing 12-year-old classmate to death
Two schoolgirls have confessed to stabbing their 12-year-old peer to death in a woodland in western Germany, in a case that is causing shock around the world.
The victim, who police have only identified by her first name Luise, was found dead on Sunday, March 12 in a forest near the town of Freudenberg, about 2km from her home.
She had reportedly been stabbed more than 30 times.
READ MORE: Melbourne driver's smashed up car causes police to 'double take'
Police forces stand at a cordon near in Freudenberg, Germany, Sunday, March 12, 2023. A girl went missing on Saturday and the police launched a large-scale search operation, during which the body was discovered on Sunday. German police said Tuesday a 12-year-old girl, who was found dead earlier this week in the western German town of Freudenberg, was killed by two children.(Roberto Pfeil/dpa via AP) AP
Two of her classmates, girls aged 12 and 13, were then taken into police custody and admitted to the crime, German police said on Tuesday.
Because of their ages, the girls are not subject to criminal law which only takes effect for minors from the age of 14 in Germany.
They were therefore not arrested, but taken into the custody of a welfare office.
While police have not suggested a motive, German newspaper Bild has reported the killing was an act of "revenge" after Luise confided in adults that the two girls had been bullying her for months.
An autopsy confirmed the 12-year-old girl had died from severe blood loss.
She had gone missing on Saturday, March 11, after she visited a friend then never returned home.
READ MORE: Higher cancer rates found in military pilots and ground crews
Flowers and candles placed in the area where Luise was killed. AP
Her parents called police when couldn't get in touch with her, sparking a police search.
The governor of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, where Freudenberg is located, has spoken out about the shocking crime.
"North Rhine-Westphalia is grieving," Hendrik Wuest said.
"It is incomprehensible and unbearable that children are capable of such horrible acts."
He promised authorities would do everything in their power to shed light on the reasons and circumstances of the crime.
READ MORE: Teen's body will be exhumed, almost two years after Murdaugh case prompted renewed scrutiny
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in World
World’s largest crypto exchange hit by suspected North Korean hack in world’s largest heist
The voters Trump needed most have now turned their backs on him
Bloodbath on Wall Street as investors freak out over AI costs
‘I don’t know why I survived’: Christa Pike releases first statement since botched execution
