Berlin (dpa) – The German horror writer Nadia Sahlenbeck died in a horrific attack in March similar to many of the victims in her novels, according to details which emerged in a court hearing into the case on Wednesday.
A knife blade perforated many of the 41-year-old author’s internal organs, resulting in her bleeding to death following an attack in her flat in the western German town of Gevelsberg.
A 55-year-old man, identified in the German media as Hardy J under Germany’s strict privacy laws, has been accused of her murder.
Prosecutors believe that the man met Sahlenbeck online and then fell in love with her.
However, she only wanted to have a friendship with the accused, which prompted an argument during a surprise visit by the man to her home.
Police say that he admitted grabbing a knife from the kitchen and stabbing Sahlenbeck during the argument. But later withdrew his confession as the trial proceeded.
The accused has already served a jail sentence for the 2009 manslaughter of a woman, who also rejected a serious relationship with him.
