Twelve-year-old Luise F. was found dead in a forest area near Dreislar in Freudenberg, Germany, on March 11, 2023, killed by two classmates aged 12 and 13. The murder shocked the nation and ignited fierce debate about criminal responsibility of children.
Murder occurred after school
Luise was reported missing on the evening of March 11, 2023. Within hours, police discovered her body in the isolated forest area near Dreislar. The autopsy revealed the brutal nature of the attack: Luise had been stabbed over 70 times, primarily in the neck and chest.
The two female perpetrators were her classmates and acquaintances. They lured her into the forest after school and committed the murder there. Shortly after the discovery, they turned themselves in to police. Police spokesman Jürgen Fachinger described it as one of the most shocking crimes the region's authorities had ever faced.
Unclear motive among friends
Investigations revealed there had been conflicts within the friend group. Authorities did not release full details about the motive out of consideration for juvenile justice. Both perpetrators were from Freudenberg and attended the same school as the victim.
The extreme brutality—over 70 stab wounds—indicated an uncontrolled escalation or an intense emotional act. Experts questioned how such young girls could be capable of such violence. Criminologists and psychologists noted that such serious crimes committed by such young children are extremely rare in Germany.
No punishment due to age threshold
Under German law, children under 14 are criminally liable minors. This means they cannot be prosecuted regardless of the severity of the crime. In Luise's case, the two perpetrators could not be tried in ordinary court. Instead, Landesgerichts Hagen handled the case under juvenile justice regulations.
On July 27, 2023, Landesgerichts Hagen issued its decision: The 12-year-old was admitted to a closed youth institution until age 18. The 13-year-old received supervised probation with conditions. Neither was convicted under criminal law. The Federal Court of Justice confirmed the decision in November 2023.
Massive debate on criminal responsibility
The case sparked intense political and public debate about criminal liability age threshold in Germany]. On March 13, 2023, North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) declared: "The age of criminal responsibility is not sacred" and demanded a review of the rules. A petition to lower the age threshold to 12 or 13 years, launched in April 2023, collected over 500,000 signatures.
Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) argued against changes during a Bundestag debate on March 28, 2023, emphasizing the importance of prevention and educational measures. Experts warned that lowering the age could harm young offenders' development without increasing public safety.
As of May 2026, no legislative changes had been enacted. Instead, the Federal Justice Ministry established a commission on "youth crime" in 2024 to develop preventive measures and alternative approaches.
Small town left with deep scars
The small town of Freudenberg, with approximately 18,000 residents, was thrust into national spotlight. The murder left deep marks on the community, particularly at the school all three girls attended. Psychologists and social workers supported classmates and families throughout the process.
Luise's case remains one of the most shocking examples of violence committed by criminally liable minors in German criminal history.
