Perplexed, Saddened, and Angry

Trier is still in shock after two students were killed by violent acts in recent days. A 29-year-old student was found dead in her flat on Sunday. She had likely been the victim of a violent crime. An investigation led by a special task force of the German police is now in full swing to shed light on what happened. No further details are currently being made public.[1]

Only last Wednesday, a fatal knife attack took place on Trier's Petrisberg, in which a 22-year-old student was killed. The alleged perpetrator, a 22-year-old Afghan man with a mental illness who was receiving treatment, was arrested and is currently being held in pretrial detention.[1]

A memorial service was held in the chapel of Campus 2 at the University of Trier on Thursday at midday. Since Wednesday, the university has also opened books of condolence to the public, both at the university itself and at the citizens' office. The city of Trier and Mayor Wolfram Leibe have described the two attacks as leaving people "perplexed, saddened and angry."[1]

Two students. Two violent deaths. Six days apart. One city. The first was stabbed on a hill. The second was found in her flat. The investigations are separate. The grief is not.[1]

Five days ago, this blog wrote about the first death: a 22-year-old student, stabbed in broad daylight on Trier's Petrisberg. That post ended with a question about what connects these events. Today, the question is louder, and there is a second name to add to it. The special task force is investigating. The university is mourning. The city is angry. The answers have not arrived.[1]