Prosecutor: Suspect in boy’s death admits to 2 killings
BERLIN — A 19-year-old man arrested in the death of a neighbour’s boy has admitted to killing the child and a 22-year-old acquaintance, citing frustration over a rejected bid to join the German army and the recent loss of his internet connection, authorities said Friday.
The case has shocked the western German city of Herne, not least because the suspect allegedly circulated photos of the bloodied crime scenes online. Hundreds of officers spent three days hunting the suspect, identified by police as Marcel Hesse, until he gave himself up late Thursday.
Bochum prosecutor Danyal Maibaum said Hesse made a comprehensive confession following his arrest and was being held on suspicion of murder.
Hesse allegedly lured a 9-year-old boy out of his home under a pretext Monday, Maibaum said. The child’s body was found in a basement with 52 stab wounds, following a tip from a member of the public.