Suche
Fourth person arrested after murder in Zella-Mehlis: girl arrested!
Two young people aged 15 and 16 were arrested after the murder of a 23-year-old in Zella-Mehlis.
Fourth person arrested after murder in Zella-Mehlis: girl arrested!
Around three weeks after the tragic discovery of a body in Zella-Mehlis, Thuringia, the mystery surrounding the death of a 23-year-old man continues. On June 23, 2025, the man's body was discovered in a stream, although the exact cause of death could not be determined at that time. Now the investigation has gone one step further: two girls aged 15 and 16 were arrested this morning MDR reported.
Two 19-year-old men had previously been arrested in Meiningen and Zella-Mehlis on suspicion of murder. These arrests took place on July 11, 2025. The two men are now in custody with arrest warrants. The young people's arrests today are believed to be connected to the murder in some way. The Meiningen public prosecutor's office has not yet published any further information in order not to jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
Uncertain circumstances and investigation
The exact cause of death and the circumstances of the incident remain unclear for the time being, which poses additional challenges for investigators. All that is known so far is that the body was found on June 23rd. A forensic medical examination should provide information about the background.
In Germany, the discussion about juvenile crime is gaining momentum. Loud Statista Youth violence reached a peak in 2024 with around 13,800 cases. This is more than twice as high as in 2016. The increase in violence is also particularly worrying in the 14 to 17 year old and 18 to 20 year old age groups, suggesting underlying societal pressures. The psychological stress caused by the pandemic may also have led to an increase in violence and crime among young people.
The role of young people in criminal law
One of the central questions in this context is the application of criminal law to children and young people, especially in the case of serious crimes such as murder. In the discussion about reducing criminal responsibility and tougher sanctions, the need for early prevention comes into focus. Statistics show that the majority of young crime suspects are male, which points to various social and psychological factors that need to be understood.
Given the current developments in Zella-Mehlis, it is to be hoped that the investigations will shed light on the matter and those responsible will be held accountable. The arrested young people will be brought before a judge today, which could further advance the process.
These tragic events make it clear that something is going on in our society, and it is high time that we deal with the background and possible solutions. We must not forget that it is not just about punitive measures, but also about prevention - especially when it comes to today's youth.