Man who murdered 15-year-old ex-girlfriend found dead in cell

Attack triggered months of far-right protest in Germany

The killing of the 15-year-old girl in the town of Kandel shocked citizens across Germany (DPA/AFP via Getty Images)

A man who murdered his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend has been found dead in his prison cell, prosecutors in Germany have said.

Identified only as Abdul D due to the country's privacy laws, the Afghan migrant stabbed the teenager multiple times with a 20.5inch kitchen knife in a drugstore in the town of Kandel.

As far-right groups tried to capitalise on her death, the case triggered months of protests and counter-demonstrations in the community near the French border.

After being found guilty of murder and assault, Abdul was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison in September last year.

At trial, it emerged that he had entered Germany as an unaccompanied minor during the height of the European refugee crisis in 2016.

He would go on to kill his ex-girlfriend identfied only as Mia V, the following December, two days after Christmas.

Prosecutors alleged that his assault was an act of jealousy and revenge after she broke up with him.

Officials said he had apparently hanged himself just over a year into his sentence.

Prison officers said there was no evidence of “foul play”, they had not seen any signs of “suicidal intent”.

The case became a flashpoint for attacks against the German government’s migration policy, from those critical of Angela Merkel’s decision to allow more than 1 million people to enter Germany.

The case triggered months of protest in Kandel as far-right groups tried to capitalise on the murder and whip up anti-immigrant feeling.

Counter protesters also took to the streets of the town to oppose their message and call for an embracing of the nation’s diversity.

Police in Ludwigshafen have begun an investigation into his cause of Abdul's death, with an autopsy due to take place later this week.

His lawyer, Maximilian Endler, told the Die Bild newspaper: "It makes me sad - so far I have not even been informed by the authorities. I know that my client had further problems while in prison, but they were of a disciplinary nature."

He added: “I would not have believed that he wanted to commit suicide - however, lately, I have had no contact with him."

Additional reporting by Associated Press