Investigation into violent crimes: 84-year-old brutally killed in Kehl
A suspected murder case in Ortenaukreis: An 84-year-old was found dead in her home, investigations are ongoing.

Investigation into violent crimes: 84-year-old brutally killed in Kehl
Two frightening cases are causing excitement and consternation in the region. While the investigation into the murder of an 84-year-old from Kehl raises many questions, the case of the missing Munich woman Sonja Engelbrecht is a reminder of the darker side of crime in Germany.
In the suspected murder of the elderly woman from Kehl, the body's autopsy revealed serious injuries caused by blunt force trauma. Freiburg forensic medicine also raised suspicions Sexual crimes after. The police believe it was a male perpetrator who gained unauthorized access to the woman's home over the weekend. Investigators are now increasingly looking for witnesses who may have observed something suspicious in the neighborhood. An acquaintance of the 84-year-old found the woman lifeless in the bedroom after she did not respond to knocks and shouts.
Investigations in Combine
The latest statistics make it clear that the development of crime in Germany is becoming increasingly difficult to assess. According to the Police Crime Statistics (PKS) from the Federal Criminal Police Office, there was a decrease in registered crimes by 1.7% to around 5.84 million in 2024. However, the increase in certain crimes is causing an increasing feeling of insecurity among the population. Sexual offenses in particular place a strain on society. In 2024, approximately 42,800 cases of sex-related crimes were recorded by the police, which is the highest number in years.
The case of Sonja Engelbrecht from Munich, who disappeared without a trace in 1995, underlines the alarming reality of unsolved criminal cases. Her skeleton was only discovered in a forest near Kipfenberg in 2022. Investigators assume it was a murder and suspect that a... Sexual crimes has taken place. A DNA survey that took place in March 2024 led to several clues, but the case remains unsolved. The police speak of a possible local connection between the perpetrator and the region around Kipfenberg and Ingolstadt/Eichstätt.
The dark side of security
Despite the overall drop in crime levels, the figures for crimes against personal freedom are particularly alarming. 285 murder victims were counted in 2024, which is 14 fewer than the previous year. The clearance rate fell slightly to 58%. In this context, it also becomes clear that the majority of those convicted are men, which sheds light on another aspect of current crime in Germany. These developments made it clear that combating serious crimes such as murder and sexual assault remain a challenge for society.
The situation in the German crime landscape is complex, and the current cases show once again that vigilance and solidarity in the community are of essential importance. The police are appealing for civic engagement and encouraging everyone to report anything suspicious.