The former “Germany’s Next Top Model” candidate Laura Weyel has been living on the Indonesian island of Bali for some time – and is now sending a cry for help back home.
In 2010, Laura Weyel became known through her participation in “Germany’s Next Top Model”. She was so convincing with her photo shoots and catwalk performances that she made it to the final of the ProSieben show. The young model took third place there.
Laura Weyel now lives in Bali with her boyfriend and daughter. On her Instagram channel, she gives her 20,000 followers insights into her everyday life as a yoga teacher and lifestyle coach. But now her life takes a dramatic turn.
Criminal complaint for alleged bodily harm
On Instagram, Laura Weyel describes a situation that happened a year ago – and now has legal consequences. She reports that her landlord neglected the property including the pool and garden. Not a single door in the house could be closed at this time, although there had been an increasing number of break-ins in the neighborhood. Despite several requests, Weyel’s landlord did not respond. The 38-year-old therefore reduced the rent on her own.
A decision that the landlord did not accept passively. First, he turned off the family’s water and sabotaged the power cables – always threatening to throw Weyel, his partner and child out of the house. The situation escalated in February when 20 people gained access to the property. “These people literally stormed the villa. I was lying naked in the garden, they were filming,” remembers Laura Weyel on Instagram.
“They threatened to grab us and take my child with them,” she describes tearfully. When the strangers wanted to break into her daughter’s room, the ex-GNTM candidate blocked their way. She grabbed a woman by the neck and pushed her away. “I didn’t hurt anyone, I defended myself and protected my child,” emphasizes Laura Weyel.
At this point, an official and a police officer were also present in their house – and that is now Weyel’s downfall. She was reported because of the physical altercation with the woman. As “Bild” reports, the former “Germany’s Next Top Model” finalist is considered a suspect in the case of bodily harm. The Indonesian Penal Code (Article 351) provides for a prison sentence of up to two years and eight months.
“I’m in a very dangerous and unfair situation here in Bali. I’m trapped, with no rights as someone from the West,” explains Laura Weyel on Instagram. In the video she repeatedly struggles with her emotions, her eyes are red. “In the last few days they have threatened to arrest me and throw me in prison,” she says, summing up her precarious situation.
Laura Weyel had already tried to report the intrusion of the unknown crowd into her house to the police – without success: “They said I didn’t have enough evidence.” She is now hoping for financial support from Germany. She started a fundraising campaign because local lawyers would demand a high fee in advance. Weyel expects costs of 30,000 euros – a sum that she cannot afford on her own. “I feel powerless and cannot leave the country. I would be arrested at the airport because it is a criminal matter.”
According to Weyel, the German consulate couldn’t help her either. When asked by “Bild”, she explains that she is currently in hiding with her family. “Our goal is to leave Bali because it is no longer safe. Everything is corrupt. I want to protect my child and come back to Germany first.”