Shock in Paunsdorf: Mother brutally stabbed in her sleep – murder trial begins!

Shock in Paunsdorf: Mother brutally stabbed in her sleep – murder trial begins!

In a shocking murder case that shocked the city of Leipzig, 30-year-old Jessica S. was stabbed to death by her ex-partner Marcus K. (41) in her apartment in Paunsdorf on May 21, 2024. The public prosecutor's office has brought a life sentence for murder and sees a clear burden of proof, although no eyewitnesses saw the incident and the murder weapon, a previously undiscovered knife, and Jessica's cell phone disappeared without a trace. This is reported by the Leipzig Internet newspaper.

Jessica S. leaves behind two children, including a son with Marcus K. The relationship between the two was marked by a lot of tension. Friends say Jessica felt restricted by Marcus' jealous and controlling behavior. The situation escalated after Jessica made the decision to break up with him in March 2024. Despite the separation, she continued to live with Marcus until August 2024.

Preparation and execution of the crime

On the day of the murder, Marcus K. went to see Jessica, who was sleeping in the living room, after midnight. Suddenly, he stabbed her in the neck with an unknown knife, resulting in her carotid artery being severed. Jessica bled to death in her own home while Marcus then tried to cover up the crime. He put a blanket over Jessica and locked the living room before tricking their children into thinking their mother had gone to work. He claimed to the public prosecutor that his ex-partner had threatened him with a knife, but the prosecution believes this to be a lie as no signs of defense were found. This is documented in a detailed log of the incident by Day24 described.

The definition of femicide describes the killing of a woman based on her gender and highlights the structural violence against women promoted by hierarchical gender relations. According to a survey by the Federal Criminal Police Office, a total of 155 women in Germany were murdered by their (ex-)partner in 2023. This makes it clear that femicide and violence against women are a problem affecting society as a whole. The murder of Jessica S. represents another tragic case that draws attention to the urgent need for preventive measures to protect women from such violence Federal Agency for Civic Education explained in detail.

Outlook on the process

In the current trial, which began on May 28, 2025, the pleadings of the co-plaintiffs and the defense are still pending before Marcus K. receives the final word. A verdict is expected to be announced on June 20, 2024. The public prosecutor's office describes Marcus K. as a treacherous perpetrator who took advantage of the innocence of his sleeping ex-partner. The seriousness of the allegations and the circumstances of the crime cast a dark shadow over the relationship between the two and could potentially raise further legal and social questions.