Hamburg, 13 July 2026
Following the death of a 15-year-old in an apartment in Hamburg-Bramfeld, a judge issued an arrest warrant against the 43-year-old mother of the girl on Monday; the woman is in pretrial detention.
In the night to Sunday, police also went to the mother's apartment. Shortly before 2 a.m., officers found the girl there — fatally injured. According to police, the 15-year-old showed signs of massive violence. An emergency doctor was called, but could only confirm her death.
Officers found the 15-year-old lifeless in her children's room in the mother's apartment in the Bramfeld district. The apartment is located on Berner Chaussee. After the teenager did not return to her facility, she was reported missing on Saturday evening. She had been reported missing by a caregiver at the facility on Saturday evening after she had not returned as agreed from a stay at her mother's, it was said.
Background: Missing persons report from youth facility
The 15-year-old had not been living with her 43-year-old mother, but in a youth facility. Police have since corrected their information: the custody status remains unclear. Previously, it had been said that the girl lived with her mother.
The mother was arrested. As police in the Hanseatic city announced, the 43-year-old was provisionally detained. According to police, there are indications that she may be mentally ill. The woman is in pretrial detention.
Investigations and arrest warrant
Following the death of a 15-year-old girl in Hamburg-Bramfeld, a judge issued an arrest warrant against the mother on Monday. With this, Hamburg police confirmed the execution of the pretrial detention. The murder commission and the public prosecutor's office are now investigating.
Reactions from the district
Many neighbours also witnessed the hours-long police operation. One resident told NDR Hamburg that many were shocked by the crime. Police initially made no further statements about possible background or motive.
Investigators secured evidence in the apartment and questioned residents. How long the investigations will take remained initially unclear. The authorities also did not comment beyond the previously known indications regarding the mother's possible mental illness.
The city of Hamburg reacted cautiously. The case would be handled with the highest priority, according to security circles. A spokesperson referred to the ongoing investigations by the murder commission and the public prosecutor's office.