German novelist Alexandra Fröhlich, known for her bestselling works, was discovered deceased on her houseboat in Hamburg, Germany. Police are treating her death as a murder. Her 58-year-old body was found by her son on Tuesday morning, April 22, 2025, on her distinctive pink houseboat moored along the Holshafen bank of the Elbe River.

“After evaluating traces and evidence, the investigating authorities now believe that the woman died as a result of violence,” a police spokesperson informed local media. The case is now under the jurisdiction of Hamburg’s murder squad.

Authorities suspect Fröhlich died between midnight and 5:30 a.m. Initial findings suggested she was shot, but later investigations identified blunt force trauma as the cause of death. Forensic teams have gathered evidence at the scene, and divers have been searching the Elbe River for the possible murder weapon.

Alexandra Fröhlich’s 22-year-old son has been arrested on suspicion of her murder. He was taken into custody in Hamburg’s Rothenburgsort district without resistance. The arrest followed the issuance of a warrant by the district court at the request of the public prosecutor’s office.

Fröhlich’s death has unsettled Germany’s literary community. She was esteemed for novels that combined humor with insight, often drawing on personal experiences. Her debut book, “Meine russische Schwiegermutter und andere Katastrophen” (“My Russian Mother-in-Law and Other Catastrophes”), released in 2012, sold over 50,000 copies in Germany and was celebrated as a humorous East-West satire.

This semi-autobiographical work, a bestseller in Germany and France, was inspired by Fröhlich’s unsuccessful marriage to a Russian man and explored cultural clashes with wit.

Fröhlich followed her debut with several other publications, including “Reisen mit Russen” (“Travels with Russians”). Her novels “Gestorben wird immer” (“Death is a Certainty”) in 2016 and “Leichen im Keller” (“Skeletons in the Closet”) in 2019 were both featured on the Spiegel Bestseller List and published by Penguin.

Before achieving fame as a novelist, Fröhlich had a notable journalism career. She began her professional journey in Ukraine during the early post-Soviet period, where she established a women’s magazine in Kyiv, contributing to the evolving Ukrainian society after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Upon returning to Germany, she worked as a freelance journalist and later as a head copy editor for women’s magazines. These roles likely influenced her keen observational skills and the social commentary present in her writing.

Her recent novels continued to blend humor with themes of family dynamics, cultural identity, and personal transformation. “Death is a Certainty” specifically addressed family legacy and trauma, showcasing her development as an author tackling complex subjects.

Following the discovery of Fröhlich’s body, her family contacted the fire department, which then notified the police due to the suspicious circumstances. Examination of the scene led investigators to suspect foul play.

The area where Fröhlich’s houseboat was located is not commonly associated with violent crime, heightening the shock of her death. The cherry-colored vessel was a familiar sight in the neighborhood and served as her residence and creative space.

Literature experts have emphasized that Fröhlich’s work was notable for transforming personal experiences into fiction that resonated with readers. Her novels combined entertainment with thoughtful exploration of social issues and interpersonal relationships.

Fröhlich is survived by her three children.