The body of bestselling German author Alexandra Frohlich was discovered on a houseboat in Hamburg on Tuesday morning, prompting a murder investigation. Frohlich, 58, best known for her crime novels, was found by her son on the Elbe River in the city’s eastern Moorfleet district.
Authorities confirmed that Frohlich had been shot, and her death was ruled a violent attack. According to reports, she died between midnight and 5:30 a.m. The case has been handed over to the police’s homicide division, as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.
“The woman was found lifeless on her houseboat, and the fire brigade confirmed her death upon arrival,” a spokesperson for the authorities told The Guardian.
Investigators are appealing to the public for any potential witnesses who may have seen unusual activity near the houseboat, described as a long cerise vessel. The houseboat was docked along the Holzhafen bank of the Elbe River.
Authorities are also examining whether Frohlich’s killer was someone she knew. As of now, no further details have been released as the investigation is still ongoing.
In an attempt to gather more evidence, divers were deployed to search the Elbe River, as there is speculation that the weapon used in the crime may have been discarded in the water.
Frohlich, a former journalist, began her career in Kyiv, Ukraine, where she founded a women’s magazine. She later worked as a freelance journalist in Germany, contributing to prominent publications, including Stern. Her literary debut, My Russian Mother-in-Law and Other Disasters, was published in 2012 and sold over 50,000 copies. She went on to release several more books, including Travelling with Russians (2014), People Always Die (2016), and Dirty Hands (2019).
Frohlich is survived by three sons. Authorities have yet to identify any suspects, and the investigation continues.
This case remains under active investigation, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.
