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Alexandra Frölich, a bestselling German novelist, was found dead on her houseboat in Moorfleet by a relative, Hamburg police—who are investigating the incident as a homicide—said in a press statement.
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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.
“Investigators are currently reviewing possible suspects,” the statement concluded. “However, given the ongoing investigation, no further information can be provided at this time.”
Frölisch became a bestselling author for Dreck am Stecken, a title that translates to “dirt on one’s hands,” which was released in 2020. The novel follows a young man, Johannes, who realizes his grandfather may have left behind a dark past following his death. She has also penned the title Meine russische Schwiegermutter und andere Katastrophen, or in English, “My Russian Mother-in-Law and Other Disasters.”
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On her author profile page for the Droemer Knaur publisher, Frölisch is described as a journalist and author. She is listed as living in Hamburg with her three sons—where she edits for various magazines. The statement also says she recently founded a women’s magazine based in Kyiv.
In the author statement, translated from German, she is also described to have a “close yet changing affection” for her “Russian ex."
As Hamburg authorities investigate Frölisch’s death, they’ve urged anyone with information to reach out.
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