A shocking incident unfolded in Forbach, France, where a German man was arrested after his wife endured alleged captivity lasting for 12 years. The 53-year-old woman was discovered in a harrowing state, semi-naked and with her head shaved, confined to a bedroom within the couple’s apartment. French police sources revealed that metal wire barricaded the room where she was found, situated near the German border.

The 55-year-old suspect is now in custody, facing charges of kidnapping and other offenses. The rescue came to light when the woman managed to access a phone and dialed German authorities, who immediately informed their French counterparts.

Upon the woman’s examination, local prosecutor Olivier Glady expressed concern about her health, describing it as “not good.” Reports mentioned that approximately nine cats were also found in the apartment, but Glady refuted claims of metal bars used for imprisonment, clarifying that they were there to contain the felines.

Contrary to earlier speculation, no evidence of blood or violence was uncovered when police located the woman. The unemployed suspect had previously worked in German industry.

Neighbors, who were interviewed by Germany’s Bild newspaper, recounted the man’s claim that his wife suffered from cancer and experienced distressing pain due to her illness. While some neighbors heard occasional screams, they attributed them to her medical condition, unaware of the dire situation.

The woman’s isolation was evident, as she never ventured outside the home. One neighbor, Alicia, described the man as “very polite” and “nice,” and another witness, Erika, last saw the woman nearly a decade ago, assuming she had either passed away or relocated.

During the police search, a notebook resembling a diary was reportedly discovered, containing records of the man’s actions, including when he provided food to his wife.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities continue to piece together the full extent of this shocking and deeply distressing case.