Hesse’s finance minister Thomas Schafer (CDU) is dead. According to the Wiesbaden public prosecutor and the police, it can be assumed that the 54-year-old killed himself. Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) reacted to the news with deep sadness and great consternation. “We are all shocked and can hardly believe that Thomas Schafer died suddenly and unexpectedly,” said Bouffier on Saturday evening and added: “We all have to deal with his death now and mourn with his family. Our sincere condolences go first to his closest relatives and we wish them strength and strength for this difficult time. ”A statement by the Prime Minister has been announced for Sunday at 12 noon – because of the corona crisis via video.
Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, head of the CDU, was similarly affected: “The news of the sudden death of Thomas Schafer shocked us all in the CDU. It hits us and makes us sad and stunned, ”she wrote on Twitter.
Schafer was active in Hessian state politics for more than two decades, and since 2010 he has been the minister of finance. In his office, the financial expert had also attracted attention nationwide. He leaves behind his wife and two children.
According to the police, a lifeless person was reported to the rescue control center on Saturday morning in the area of the train tracks on the ICE line in the Hochheim district. The alarmed forces found a male body there. Criminal officers from the West Hesse Police Headquarters immediately initiated a death investigation. It was found that the dead man was the Hessian finance minister. Due to the circumstances, the search for traces at the crime scene and the questioning of numerous witnesses as well as extensive technical and criminal-scientific evaluations and investigations, the police say they have committed suicide.
As was heard from investigators, Schafer left a farewell letter. In it he gave the reasons for his suicide. The investigators did not want to provide any further information on the situation on Saturday evening.
The parties in the Hessian state parliament were deeply shaken by the death of the CDU politician. “I know few personalities who were as steadfast, interesting and reliable as Thomas Schafer,” said Boris Rhein State President. “He is already missing! I cannot imagine what it is like to shape politics without him. ”The Mayor and Treasurer of Frankfurt Uwe Becker (CDU) said on Twitter that he was“ shocked, speechless and deeply sad ”.
Representatives of the opposition parties were also stunned and expressed their condolences to the family and the bereaved. SPD chairwoman Nancy Faeser wrote that she was “stunned and deeply dismayed. My heartfelt sympathy goes to his family during this difficult time ”. The Left Party faction made a similar statement: “The death of Hesse’s finance minister Dr. Thomas Schafer leaves us with horror and shock. Our thoughts are with the relatives and the family of Thomas Schafers during these difficult hours. We extend our sincere condolences to you. “
