Monheim Femicide: Husband Confesses – He Suffocated Fatma Because She Wanted a Divorce

It's the sort of story that leaves you speechless. At Düsseldorf Regional Court, a 43-year-old man from Monheim has confessed to killing his own wife. Fatma (38) wanted a divorce – so he murdered her. He suffocated her with a pillow while she slept. Treacherous murder, says the public prosecutor's office. Another case of femicide, where a woman had to die simply because she was a woman and wanted to leave her partner.

They met years ago in Turkey, and Fatma moved to Germany for him. But what started as love eventually turned into a living nightmare. In the months leading up to the killing, things had completely broken down. Fatma wanted out, wanted to leave him and start afresh. "She said several times that she was going to file for divorce," the defendant told the court in a thin, quiet voice. It seems he just couldn't handle it. Add to that constant arguments about money – their finances were in a mess. On the night it happened, they'd had another row. When Fatma fell asleep, he simply took a pillow and held it down until she stopped breathing.

Hearing stories like this really gets to you. But sadly, this isn't an isolated incident. Every year in Germany, hundreds of women are killed or seriously injured by their husbands or ex-partners. Femicide is a global problem that doesn't stop at any border. In Latin America, for instance, the term is already widely used because the numbers there are so staggeringly high. But it also happens here, behind closed doors – in living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. Only, we often still label it a "family tragedy" or a "crime of passion." A complete trivialisation. A femicide isn't a tragedy; it's quite simply murder.

The neighbours in Monheim are absolutely devastated. "Fatma was such a lovely woman, always said hello and smiled," says an elderly lady from next door. "We never heard a thing, never any shouting. It's just unbelievable." And that's precisely the insidious nature of such crimes: they happen silently, behind locked doors. Fatma didn't confide in anyone, didn't seek help – perhaps because she thought things might get better. Or maybe because she felt ashamed. But her case shows: when a woman wants a divorce, it can be deadly. Statistically, the period of separation is the most dangerous time in an abusive relationship.

What can we learn from this? Just shaking our heads isn't enough. As a society, we need to rethink things and, most importantly, offer help. Experts in this field keep telling us:

• Take early warning signs seriously: Controlling behaviour, jealousy, putting a woman down – these are often the first indicators of future violence.
• Expand support services for women: Women need to know where they can get quick, straightforward help without fearing red tape or judgemental looks.
• Also engage with perpetrators: Only if men learn to deal with anger and conflict without violence can we prevent further crimes.
• Better training for police and the judiciary: Every domestic violence call-out must be taken seriously – for what it often is: the last warning before a femicide.

The trial of the 43-year-old isn't over yet. A psychiatric report is due to shed light on his state of mind. But Fatma is dead. She couldn't escape. Her fate must be a wake-up call for all of us. Because as long as women in Germany have to be afraid when they want to leave a partner, we as a society have failed. Femicide isn't a private matter. It's a crime – and it concerns every single one of us.

If you need help: The "Violence against women" helpline is available 24/7 on 116 016 and online at hilfetelefon.de. In an emergency, always call 999.