German Author Alexandra Frölich Found Dead on Houseboat: Police Investigating as Murder

German bibliophiles are mourning the loss of a prolific storyteller. 

Alexandra Frölich, the author of the bestselling German novel Dreck am Stecken, was found dead in her houseboat in Moorport April 22, Hamburg authorities confirmed in a press statement. She was 58. 

Frölich’s exact cause of death was “unclear” to police who arrived at the scene. Due to foul play being unable to be ruled out, authorities said, they “now believe” and are currently investigating her death as a homicide.

“According to current information, relatives found the 58-year-old woman lifeless on her houseboat and alerted firefighters, who could only confirm the woman’s death,” Hamburg Police spokesperson Patrick Schlüse said in an April 22 statement, translated from German. “After evaluating trace evidence, the investigating authorities now believe that the woman died as a result of violence.”

The author’s death is currently under investigation by the Hamburg Police homicide division and divers and a scanner were already deployed at the scene, authorities confirmed.