Crime-and-justice

Berlin woman avoids prison after failed axe attack on sleeping husband

A chilling night turned surreal when a wife’s axe attack failed—thanks to a protective sheath. Her husband’s quick thinking saved two lives.

, and Administrator

2026 January 5 . 5:01 PM

1 min read

This image looks like it is edited. On the left, there is a woman lying on the sofa. In the middle,... — This image looks like it is edited. On the left, there is a woman lying on the sofa. In the middle, there is a table covered with a white cloth. In the background, there is a wall. On the left, there is a window. At the bottom, there is a floor.

72-Year-Old in Berlin Sentenced for Attempted Murder of Husband with Secured Axe - Berlin woman avoids prison after failed axe attack on sleeping husband

A 72-year-old woman from Berlin was sentenced to two years' probation in December 2025 for attempting to murder her husband with an axe. The attack occurred in their home, where she struck him while he slept. The woman attacked her husband as he lay asleep, hitting his head twice with an axe that had a protective sheath covering the blade. This prevented serious injury. After the failed attempt, she tried to jump out of their apartment window, but her husband intervened and stopped her. Authorities confirmed she had planned to kill him before taking her own life. The court delivered its verdict in December, sentencing her to two years' probation. German media did not disclose her name, following standard privacy practices in such cases. The woman's sentence was suspended, meaning she will serve no prison time unless further offences occur. The case highlights how the protective cover on the axe prevented a fatal outcome and her husband's quick actions stopped her from harming herself.