A murder investigation is underway in Hamburg after bestselling novelist Alexandra Fröhlich was found dead on her houseboat in the Moorfleet district on Tuesday. German authorities have confirmed the tragic discovery and are treating the case as a homicide.

According to a statement from Hamburg Police shared with CNN, Fröhlich, a 58-year-old freelance journalist and novelist, was found lifeless by relatives on her houseboat. The family initially contacted the fire department, who then alerted the police.

Police Investigate Murder After Discovery on Hamburg Houseboat

“After a 58-year-old woman was found dead on her houseboat in Hamburg’s Moorfleet district on Tuesday morning, the police and public prosecutor’s office are now assuming a homicide,” the police said in the statement. Police have called for the public’s help in providing any information related to the incident.

As the cause of death remains unclear, Hamburg police have taken over the investigation, with officers from the homicide squad now working closely with the public prosecutor’s office. Police divers were deployed at the scene to search for further evidence.

“The cause of death could not be immediately determined, and outside influence could not be ruled out,” the police statement added, noting that further examinations at the scene led authorities to believe that the author died as a result of violence.

Bestselling Novelist Known for Popular Works

Fröhlich, originally from Germany, was a well-regarded freelance editor, journalist, and novelist. She gained significant recognition for her books, which earned spots on Spiegel’s bestseller list. Her recent works, My Russian Mother-in-Law and Other Catastrophes and There’s Always Someone Dying, were published by Penguin and were widely celebrated for their compelling storytelling.

Investigation and Public Appeal for Information

The authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in this ongoing investigation. Anyone with potential information is urged to contact local police to aid in the resolution of the case.

This shocking incident has sent ripples through both the literary world and the local Hamburg community, leaving readers and family members alike searching for answers.