12-Year-Old Girl Killed by Classmates in Germany

Twelve-year-old Luise F. was found dead in a forest area near Dreislar in Freudenberg, Germany, on March 11, 2023, killed by two classmates aged 12 and 13. The murder shocked the nation and ignited fierce debate about criminal responsibility of children.

Murder occurred after school

Luise was reported missing on the evening of March 11, 2023. Within hours, police discovered her body in the isolated forest area near Dreislar. The autopsy revealed the brutal nature of the attack: Luise had been stabbed over 70 times, primarily in the neck and chest.

The two female perpetrators were her classmates and acquaintances. They lured her into the forest after school and committed the murder there. Shortly after the discovery, they turned themselves in to police. Police spokesman Jürgen Fachinger described it as one of the most shocking crimes the region's authorities had ever faced.

Unclear motive among friends

Investigations revealed there had been conflicts within the friend group. Authorities did not release full details about the motive out of consideration for juvenile justice. Both perpetrators were from Freudenberg and attended the same school as the victim.

The extreme brutality—over 70 stab wounds—indicated an uncontrolled escalation or an intense emotional act. Experts questioned how such young girls could be capable of such violence. Criminologists and psychologists noted that such serious crimes committed by such young children are extremely rare in Germany.