Devastating break-in in Seeberg: trials and psychological scars!

Devastating break-in in Seeberg: trials and psychological scars!

In a frightening incident in the Seeberg district of Cologne, a resident experienced the nightmare of an apartment break-in. A year and a half ago, the 54-year-old left her balcony door open because the nights were often too warm, which gave a burglar the chance to break into her apartment unnoticed. Today, November 10, 2025, the trial against the suspect, who made a full confession, began at the Cologne Regional Court.

The attack occurred while the victim was in the bedroom. Surprised and frightened, she called out “Hey!” when she noticed the intruder. He immediately pounced on the woman, punched her several times in the face and caused her a profusely bleeding laceration. “This is hard to believe,” you think when you follow the events described. Her screams aroused the interest of a neighbor who happened to be passing by, who drove the attacker away and probably prevented something worse from happening, but the consequences for the woman are devastating.

Psychological consequences of a burglary

As the woman's experience shows, the psychological effects of a break-in are often striking. According to a study by Basler Insurance, almost 70% of burglary victims suffer lasting consequences that go beyond the mere feeling of shock. In 2023, around 77,800 residential burglaries were recorded by the police in Germany, and it is noteworthy that women and older people in particular are affected at an above-average rate.

The reported symptoms are alarming and include anxiety disorders, sleep disorders and even post-traumatic stress disorder. In order not to become isolated under the impression of what has happened, psychologists recommend active coping strategies. Although moving to another apartment can be a short-term solution, it often increases existing fears. “You have to actively do something for yourself,” emphasize experts and recommend seeking help immediately and talking about what you have experienced.

Tips for coping with impressions

Simple measures could help to mitigate the psychological consequences. Here are some recommendations:

• Eine Übernachtung bei Freunden oder im Hotel kann für Abwechslung sorgen.
• Das Umstellen von Möbeln oder das Streichen der Wände kann helfen, einen Neubeginn zu symbolisieren.
• Achtsamkeitsübungen, wie Atemtechniken oder Konzentrationsübungen, sind ebenfalls von großem Wert.

However, if symptoms persist for longer than two weeks, professional help is advisable.

The defendant, who was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine at the time of the attack, embarrassingly forgot his backpack with identification at the crime scene, which made his identification easier. Police also found a Gucci baseball cap that he had previously shown on social media at the crime scene. “Something like this simply shouldn’t happen,” is what people think when looking at such developments.

The court is expected to make a ruling next week. In the meantime, the police strongly advise you to always close doors and windows properly and to be vigilant if you suspect burglars. Anyone who will be absent for a long period of time should not make public announcements and should never resort to direct confrontation in the event of a break-in - instead, they should leave the building quickly.