Husband sentenced to life imprisonment for intentional murder of wife!

Husband sentenced to life imprisonment for intentional murder of wife!

In a shocking case of domestic violence, a 38-year-old man from Varel was sentenced to life in prison by the Oldenburg district court for murder with a particularly serious degree of guilt. The defendant intentionally hit his estranged wife with his car on May 12th and fatally injured her. According to the court, this happened out of treachery when the 37-year-old was walking on a sidewalk, unaware and listening to music. The man drove towards her at 70 km/h and threw her several meters away during the impact, which resulted in her fatal injuries. The presiding judge also noted the base motives of the defendant, who felt his honor had been violated by his wife's intentions to divorce, as NDR reports.

The process was marked by intense disputes. The defendant vehemently denied wanting to kill his wife and described the act as a “terrible misfortune”. However, the judge and prosecutors were convinced that the extensive evidence - including voice messages from the woman describing her dissatisfaction and desire for a divorce - told a different story. Further incriminating evidence includes the defendant's repeated threats in the days before the crime. His circumstances were deemed unreliable as he had not previously taken strong medication and was able to drive his vehicle faster than 40 km/h, making the claim of accidental accelerator unreliable, as [NWZ Online].

Domestic Violence: A Growing Problem

This tragic incident is not alone. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), 308 women and girls were violently killed in Germany in 2024, most of whom were killed by partners or ex-partners. Particularly in family structures, the number of femicides exceeds all alarming limits: 85% of the completed partner killings affected women. The news also shocked the community in Varel and reminded us of the urgent problem of domestic violence, which is still reaching current dimensions. The continued increase of 266,000 victims of domestic violence compared to the previous year makes it clear that there is a need for action, reports Tagesschau.

The federal government is already planning measures to counteract this phenomenon. From 2032, women affected by violence should have a legal right to free protection, as well as the expansion of women's shelters and the introduction of electronic ankle bracelets for perpetrators. Nevertheless, there is a lack of over 12,000 places in women's shelters nationwide, which makes the need for additional protective measures all the more urgent.

The case in Varel is another example of how important it is to hear the voices of those affected and to consistently strengthen the structures to protect women. The youth welfare office is now looking after the couple's seven underage children, who are also facing an uncertain future as a result of this terrible tragedy.