Slovak Scientist Charged with Murder of Wife and Infant Daughter in Germany
A Düsseldorf court has charged Slovakian scientist Erik with the murder of his 31-year-old wife, Ruimin, and their two-month-old daughter, Linna, in a case that has shocked both Germany and Slovakia. The tragedy unfolded after Erik reportedly called emergency services himself, found injured with a knife, according to police reports from late November.
The horrific discovery occurred in their Düsseldorf apartment, where authorities also found an ax and psychotropic drugs. While Erik initially confessed to the crime, the precise motive remains unclear, and investigators are piecing together the events leading up to the deaths. Neighbors reported hearing arguments emanating from the apartment shortly before the emergency call, painting a disturbing contrast to descriptions of Erik as a devoted father.
The couple’s story, initially one of fairytale romance, took a devastating turn just a year and a half after their wedding. Erik, originally from Nitra, Slovakia, had built a successful career as a scientist, working in various countries before meeting Ruimin, a Chinese biologist. Their wedding last year in China and the subsequent birth of Linna this summer were documented on social media, showcasing a seemingly idyllic family life.
However, beneath the surface, Erik struggled with long-standing mental health issues and involvement with the Sri Chinmoy sect, according to his parents. “He had mental problems since his student years,” his mother revealed in an exclusive interview. The parents described the sect as exerting intense psychological pressure on members, fostering feelings of guilt and self-destruction. “I have a very heavy heart for this sect – it will tear the child away from you,” she stated, comparing the experience to being “possessed by the devil.”
Erik was diagnosed with schizophrenia with suicidal tendencies and hospitalized multiple times, but reportedly resisted fully accepting his diagnosis until after a major hospitalization. While he appeared to be improving on medication and regular check-ups, his parents believe a change in accommodation and doctors triggered a relapse after the family moved. “He probably stopped taking his medication,” his mother speculated.
Erik had confided in Ruimin about his psychological problems, but the couple married and appeared happy, at least outwardly. According to his mother, they were a cheerful couple, and she described them as “the happiest people in the world.” However, a crisis emerged after the move, and Erik reportedly expressed feeling overwhelmed. “Mom, I’m so tired of everything, there’s a lot on us,” he told her during a visit in mid-October, just weeks before the tragedy.
The family is now grappling with unimaginable grief and seeking to repatriate Ruimin and Linna’s bodies to China for burial, respecting the family’s wishes against cremation. “To us, Ruimin and Linna were our children,” Erik’s mother said, pleading for leniency for her son, acknowledging the incomprehensibility of his actions. “We have no words for what he did.”
Ruimin’s family, from Heze City in Shandong Province, China, expressed their shock and devastation. According to Hongxing News, they had no indication of any problems in the relationship, with Ruimin consistently portraying a positive outlook during regular video calls. “We didn’t see anything unusual about her,” her brother stated, adding that she and Erik had discussed plans to return to China after completing their doctorates. The Chinese embassy is providing legal assistance and helping the family with travel arrangements. Classmates and colleagues have launched a fundraiser to cover associated costs.
The investigation continues as authorities attempt to unravel the complex factors that contributed to this tragic outcome.
