German police have arrested a 43-year-old Turkish man suspected of fatally stabbing his estranged wife, a 36-year-old mother of three, at a municipal refugee shelter in Coesfeld. The suspect was already on trial for rape and charged with other crimes.
Witnesses found the victim, Enda K., with stab wounds to her upper body in her room at the accommodation around 12:25 p.m. on Wednesday.
Rescue workers tried to revive her but could not save her life. She died at the scene.
The couple, both Turkish citizens but had been living separately, investigators stated. Police and prosecutors initially provided no information on the background of the attack or a possible motive.
“The children were luckily at school when it happened. This is so terrible. Enda was such a strong personality, a really nice woman. We are all shocked,” a roommate at the refugee shelter told Bild newspaper.
A tip from the public led officers to the suspect during the night in Münster, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) away. They arrested him around midnight. He did not initially comment on the allegations.
Bild also learned that the Turkish suspect had a prior conviction for aggravated assault and he also faces additioanl charges of trespassing, assault, and coercion.
In January 2026, he was also placed on trial for rape but the trial was terminated and moved to another court due to an expected higher sentencing. No court proceedings at this new court venue have taken place yet.
