Bestselling Novelist Found Dead in 'Violent' Circumstances on Houseboat — And Killer Remains on the Loose

A bestselling German author was found murdered on her houseboat — and police are searching for possible suspects.

Police in Hamburg said a 58-year-old woman was found lifeless by her relatives on the vessel, which was on the Elbe River in Hamburg’s Moorfleet district.

Though police did note name the victim, CNN reported that it was Alexandra Frölich, a bestselling author.

“After evaluating traces and evidence, the investigating authorities now assume that the woman died as a result of violence,” police said. “Investigators are currently investigating possible suspects. However, given the ongoing investigation, no further details can be provided at this time.”

Further, police are asking anyone who might have witnessed anything suspicious to come forward.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.  

According to Frölich’s page on the website of Droemer Knaur, a publisher, she was both an author and journalist. She also started a women’s magazine in Kyiv.

“Alexandra Fröhlich has a close yet changing affection for her Russian ex and lives in Hamburg with her three sons,” her page states.

Her books My Russian Mother-in-Law and Other Catastrophes and People Always Die were both on Spiegel’s bestseller list, according to her publisher Penguin.