Investigation initiated following the demise of a 16-year-old resident in Friedland, leaving several unanswered queries behind.
In the small town of Friedland, GΓΆttingen, Lower Saxony, a sense of shock and sorrow still lingers after the tragic death of a 16-year-old girl at the local station on August 11. The community, once vibrant and full of life, has been left reeling from this devastating loss.
The teenager, who commuted daily to her training facility in Friedland, was initially believed to have met her end in an unfortunate accident. However, further investigations have revealed a far more sinister scenario.
The suspect in this case is a 31-year-old Iraqi man, who has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in the past. His troubled history includes a rejection of his asylum application in December 2022 and a potential deportation order, set for March 2025, which was never carried out.
In July 2025, an application for detention pending deportation was rejected by the Regional Court of Hannover. Following this, the suspect was released and returned to Friedland as an asylum seeker. He served a substitute custodial sentence and exercised his right to remain silent when confronted with the charge.
The police suspect that the man, exhibiting psychological abnormalities on the day of the incident, pushed the 16-year-old in front of a passing freight train. DNA traces of the suspect were found on the victim's shoulder, providing a crucial piece of evidence.
However, key details about the man's actions and the victim's last moments remain unresolved. The sequence of events leading up to the tragic incident, including why it occurred, remain shrouded in mystery.
The death of the teenager has caused great consternation in the community. Flowers and candles at Friedland station serve as a memorial to the young girl. Over 14,000 euros have been collected for her funeral costs through two fundraising appeals.
The suspect is currently in a psychiatric clinic under a detention order, awaiting trial for manslaughter. The case continues to be a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of understanding and addressing mental health issues.
