True Crime Hessen: The murder of Walter Lübcke

Der Regierungspräsident von Kassel war 65 Jahre alt, als er im Juni 2019 in seinem Haus ermordet wurde. Was geschah am letzten Abend des Politikers?

18. September 2024 um 14:42 UhrWolfhagen

Walter Lübcke leaves behind two adult children and his wife. He died from a targeted shot to the temple.

Swen Pförtner/dpa

What happened?

On the evening of June 1, 2019, long-time CDU politician Walter Lübcke wants to end the evening in a relaxed manner and enjoys the summer peace in his garden. He is sitting alone on the terrace; shortly before, his wife had put their grandson to bed.

At around 10 p.m., a man sneaks unnoticed onto the property of the couple, whom he has been observing for some time. As the perpetrator approaches the terrace, Lübcke notices the stranger and an exchange of words ensues. Shortly afterwards, the perpetrator pushed Lübcke back onto his chair and fired a shot at his temple. Forensic evidence will later find skin flakes on the 65-year-old’s hand, which point to the perpetrator.

However, the exact circumstances of the incident remain controversial, as different versions of the crime have been described.

Why did Walter Lübcke have to die?

The perpetrator was convinced that Lübcke and other politicians were responsible for the supposed threat posed by migrants and refugees. In particular, Lübcke’s public statements in 2015, when he advocated the acceptance of refugees, were interpreted by right-wing extremists as an attack on German identity and ultimately led to the politician’s murder.

Who was murdered? Walter Lübcke?

The right-wing extremist perpetrator, Stefan E., was deeply involved in hate and conspiracy theories. His radicalization had developed over years, starting in his youth when his father influenced him with xenophobic ideas. This ideology was reinforced by his participation in right-wing extremist events and his involvement with conspiracy theories that propagated so-called “population exchange” or “ethnic replacement.”

On January 28, 2021, the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court sentenced Stefan E. to life imprisonment for the murder of Walter Lübcke. The court determined that the crime was particularly serious, which almost rules out release from prison after 15 years. What are the other backgrounds to the crime? What events led to the crime in June 2019?

Read more in episode 120: “An attack on democracy” of the podcast “Mordlust”.

True Crime: Murderlust – The Podcast

The true crime podcast “Mordlust – Crimes and their Backgrounds” is hosted by journalists Paulina Krasa and Laura Wohlers. Every week they tell their listeners about a true crime case from Germany. They put the events into context and discuss the legal, psychological and social aspects. The two look for explanations and also speak to experts about the crimes.

topicnews · September 18, 2024

True Crime Hessen: The murder of Walter Lübcke

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