Authorities say two adolescent girls have admitted killing a classmate with a knife.
The victim, who was only given her first name, Luise, failed to come home on Saturday after seeing a friend.
The next day, in a woodland close to a defunct train station in the western town of Freudenberg, a thorough police search led to the discovery of her body.
Speaking yesterday, Florian Locker, head of Koblenz police’s homicide department gave further updates on the two teenagers questioned in relation to the death.
Two children admit to killing 12-year old girl in Germany
He said the two girls, aged 12 and 13, ‘made statements about the matter and in the end admitted the crime.’
Luise had been friends with her killers but the trio had fallen out, according to reports.
They all attended the same school with the 13-year-old in the same class as the victim.
Both suspects are too young to be held criminally responsible for their actions in Germany, where the age of criminal responsibility starts at 14.
The knife, or knives, involved in the stabbing are yet to be located.
Luise was found with a number of stab wounds and died from a huge loss of blood.
Prosecutors told the press they are assuming the ‘crime was committed by two children from the girl’s circle of acquaintances’.
They were taken into a youth welfare office – a local government department specifically tasked with the support and protection of children, adolescents and families.
Prosecutor Mario Mannweiler said: ‘What might be a motive for children to commit a crime may not come to an adult’s mind.
‘So we can’t say anything on that right now because otherwise, I would be forced to mention details from the investigation and I am not allowed to do that.
‘This is a case which is shocking, both for us as well as for all of you. We are aware of that.’
Hendrik Wuest, the governor of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia where Freudenberg is located, said he was appalled by the killing.
He said: ‘It is incomprehensible and unbearable that children are capable of such horrible acts.’
He promised that the authorities would do everything in their power to shed light on the reasons and circumstances of the crime.