Bonn’s public prosecutor is now trying to untangle the circumstances behind the death of a 55-year old man identified only as Jürgen S.

Neighbours had been pleased for him when he got together with Renata B., an attractive 57-year-old academic, the Express newspaper reported on Thursday.

Jürgen S. was only 1.5 m (about 4’11”) tall, a head shorter than Renata B., and is said to have “blossomed” during their relationship.

But they split up recently, and when she went to his house in Bornheim near Bonn on Tuesday morning to collect her things, she said he tied her up and started to torture her.

Investigators believe that Renata B. managed to wrestle away the knife and stab him, the paper said. A post mortem examination showed he died from one stab wound, the police said on Wednesday.

As Jürgen S. lay bleeding on the floor, she shouted for help –cries which were heard by a passer-by who called the police. The Express reported that authorities broke down the door to the balcony and freed Renata B., who showed signs of physical abuse.

Bonn police said they could not confirm that she was tied up, citing the ongoing investigation.

But a spokesman for the Bonn police told The Local that Renata had not been held in custody because at this point her actions appeared to be self-defence.

The Local /sh