Police in Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate state are searching for a suspect in the killing of three people in the village of Weitefeld, located in the Westerwald region. The victims, identified as a 47-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, and a 16-year-old boy, were found dead in their home early Sunday morning. Authorities believe the suspect has ties to the family.
The bodies were discovered after an emergency call was placed at 3:45 a.m. local time by a woman, who may have been one of the victims. Police arrived to find the suspect fleeing the scene on foot. Investigators have not ruled out the use of a firearm and a stabbing weapon in the attack.
Ongoing Manhunt and Community Alert
Specialized tactical units and a police helicopter have been deployed in the search, which is expected to continue overnight. Weitefeld, a quiet village of roughly 2,000 residents, has been cordoned off, with officers checking vehicles entering and exiting the area.
While authorities say there is no immediate threat to the public, residents have been advised to remain indoors as a precaution and avoid picking up hitchhikers.
Mayor Karl-Heinz Keßler expressed shock over the crime, noting that both the victims and the suspect were long-time residents of the close-knit community. "You know the people here in the village," he told Der Spiegel. "I could never have imagined such an act."
Forensic teams have reportedly found bloodstains inside the home and along a nearby street, suggesting the suspect may have been injured. Neighbors described the family as reclusive, rarely seen outside their home even in good weather.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police urging anyone with information to come forward.