Daily Mail

Killed by classmates

Germany in shock as bullied Luise, 12, is found stabbed over 30 times by two girls in woodland attack

- By Miriam Kuepper and James Callery

TWO girls murdered a 12-year-old classmate they had been bullying for months, it was reported last night.

The killers, aged 12 and 13, have been remanded in state custody but are under the age of criminal responsibi­lity.

The pair posted a video on TikTok of themselves dancing on Sunday – a day after murdering their victim, who was identified only as Luise.

According to German newspapers they also shared a video pleading for help to find Luise, despite knowing what they had done with her. In a case that has shocked Germany and sparked a huge police hunt, her

‘Incomprehe­nsible and unbearable’

body was found with multiple stab wounds in woodland near Freudenber­g in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Her parents reported her missing when she failed to return from a visit to the home of her 13-year-old killer, who was said to be her best friend. She was killed by the pair in revenge for telling an adult they had been bullying her for months, according to the newspaper Bild.

Comments under the pair’s TikTok videos were flooded with messages of disbelief, with one person writing: ‘I can’t believe you’re posting a dance video the day after the murder.’

Another classmate added: ‘When your chair in the classroom was empty this morning, we all knew what was going on.’

Other videos posted on the TikTok page were flooded with messages such as ‘How could you do this?’

There were also comments suggesting a boy was the cause of the fight. There has been disbelief that police allowed the 13year- old to remain active on TikTok after the killings. Luise had met the 13-year-old, who is said to be ‘more reserved than cheeky’, at her house in Freudenber­g’s Hohenhain district, two miles from her own home, on Saturday afternoon.

Later that day, the 12-year-old joined them and the trio walked to a nearby forest. There, they allegedly stabbed Luise more than 30 times with a knife.

Investigat­ors were stunned when they questioned the victim’s friends and peers and found glaring contradict­ions in the two girls’ version of events. Homicide department chief Florian Locker said: ‘The children then admitted to the crime. Their statements could also be supported by evidence.’

The girls have been removed from their families and school and placed in a state facility.

Investigat­ors have yet to locate the ‘small knife’ used in the crime. Police say the 13-year-old suspect may have forced the younger suspect to take part in the killing.

Commenting on a possible motive, prosecutor Mario 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 horrifying number of wounds to the victim’s body, he said it was likely ‘some emotions played a role’.

Mr Mannweiler added: ‘We are now placing this case in the hands of the youth authoritie­s.’

Residents placed tributes near where the body was found.

State governor Hendrik Wuest said North Rhine-Westphalia was ‘grieving’. He added: ‘It is incomprehe­nsible and unbearable that children are capable of such horrible acts.’

 ?? ?? Victim: Schoolgirl Luise. Inset: Police in woodland near the scene of her killing
Victim: Schoolgirl Luise. Inset: Police in woodland near the scene of her killing
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