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Suspected murder: woman and child hit in Duisburg (symbolic image)
Photograph:
Julian Stratenschulte / dpa
A 25-year-old apparently intentionally ran over his wife and one-year-old son with a car in Duisburg on Sunday – the 19-year-old has now died. She succumbed to her serious injuries in hospital on Monday morning, police and the public prosecutor's office in Duisburg said. The child, a 17-month-old boy, is still in mortal danger.
According to police, witnesses reported that the man, after hitting the woman and child, got out and punched and kicked the woman. Witnesses then detained him until the police arrived. The crime occurred near the home of the family living in Duisburg.
The 25-year-old was arrested. A homicide squad is investigating, the suspect is to be brought before a magistrate on Monday. The prosecutor's office accuses him of murder and attempted murder. The man has not yet commented on the allegations. The body of the 19-year-old is also to be autopsied on Monday.
Possibly relationship crime
"The exact motive is currently still unclear," the authorities said. "Initial interrogations of witnesses, however, indicate that relationship disputes may have led to the crime." It is said that there was a quarrel between the couple on the street before the attack. Investigators are now looking for witnesses who can provide further clues to the course of events and the couple's relationship.
aeh/AFP/dpa