Ministry explains the course of the detention conditions of the suspected perpetrator from Stade up to his death

From July 9, the close-meshed video surveillance was reduced to evening and nighttime hours, the ministry continued. For periods without video monitoring, "regular visual checks" were ordered: initially at 30-minute intervals, later at longer intervals, but at least every two hours.

The relaxations were based on a psychological assessment from Bremervörde Prison. It had described the man as calm, cooperative, and "predominantly with other inmates." There were no indications of psychological destabilization, self-endangering behavior, or other abnormalities throughout the entire observation period.

On July 20, surveillance was ultimately lifted and replaced by "regular visual checks" during day and night. On this day, the inmate was last seen alive by the night shift at around 8:30 p.m.

Course of events on the day of death and state of the investigation

On the following Tuesday morning, a Bremervörde Prison staff member found the 45-year-old lifeless in his single cell. An emergency doctor determined the inmate's death by strangulation. According to the information, investigators assume suicide; there are no indications of a crime.

The Stade public prosecutor's office discontinued the murder investigation, as proceedings against a deceased person are not possible in Germany. However, the officers state they continue to investigate against the suspect's partner and against the woman of the getaway car. They are also trying to reconstruct the sequences of events and backgrounds of the crime.

According to initial findings, there were no indications of errors on the part of the prison. All measures were carried out on the basis of the Lower Saxony Prison Act and designed in such a way that changes in condition "can be perceived at any ordered point in time."

Review of statewide regulations

The ministry is also examining whether the regulations applicable throughout the state need to be adjusted. The death investigation procedure and the original investigation procedure are also not yet completed. However, the internal investigations have not yet been completed.

The Ministry of Justice and Bremervörde Prison state they are continuing to investigate the incident "comprehensively and transparently." The case will continue to be carefully reviewed and it will be examined whether consequences for future detention conditions are necessary.

Information on support services

For people in acute crisis, the ministry points to support services: The telephone counseling service can be reached at 0800/111-0-111; in the event of acute risk of suicide, the emergency number is 112. The German Society for Suicide Prevention (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Suizidprävention) lists nationwide contact points at www.suizidprophylaxe.de. The Children and Youth Telephone (Kinder- und Jugendtelefon) (0800/111-0-333 or 116 111, Monday to Friday 2–8 p.m.), the German Depression Aid (Deutsche Depressionshilfe), and the German Depression League (Deutsche Depressionsliga) also offer counseling.