A British pub landlady described as a “breath of fresh air” to her local village has been stabbed to death in an apparent random attack at a train station in Germany. Rebecca Bullock, 31, died in hospital shortly after the assault, which happened just before 1am on Sunday near the railway station in Rosenheim, Bavaria.
Police arrested a 27-year-old homeless man who holds German citizenship. The suspect has appeared in court on suspicion of murder and has been remanded to a secure psychiatric hospital.
Tributes to ‘popular Becca’
Devastated locals back home paid emotional tributes to popular Becca, who ran The White Swan in Whitchurch, Buckinghamshire. A sea of flowers was left outside the pub, where the keen runner and horsewoman threw herself into charity work, most recently raising cash to support a seriously ill young girl.
Richard Shuffill, 82, vice-chairman of the village parish council, which serves a population of 1,000, paid tribute: “Becca had only been here a couple of years but she was like a breath of fresh air and turned The Swan around.
“It’s the only pub in the village but she threw herself into her work to make it the centre of the community. It was impossible not to like her. She was always pleasant and friendly. No one can believe what’s happened and she will be terribly missed.
“Her death has come as a real shock and it’s a huge loss to our community. I only saw her Saturday lunchtime and then 12 hours later - bless her - she is no longer with us.”
Charity work and community loss
Becca’s vibrant social media showed her passion for the outdoors and animals, revealing she loved dogs, enjoyed walking, and was “happiest when I’m up a mountain or on a horse”. The athletic landlady tackled the 2022 London marathon to raise funds for the Spinal Injuries Association and routinely conquered gruelling Ironman events.
She worked non-stop to transform her high street pub into a thriving hub, packing out the venue with live music, quizzes, and bingo nights.
Close friend and musician Kirsty Hawkshaw took to Facebook to express her heartache: “She was our local landlady who was on her way to support a friend at a funeral in Austria. She was an old soul and everyone always felt safe and secure.”
Kirsty remembered how Becca had “turned the local around” as “a true professional in hospitality with grace and dignity”. She posted: “We are devastated for her loss and for the loss her family. Her beautiful dog was our dog’s best friend. Our whole community know her and are processing slowly in shock and are in mourning.”
Investigation ongoing
German detectives are appealing for witnesses who may have spotted “an argument or physical altercation” around the station in the early hours of Sunday. Rosenheim mayor Abuzar Erdogan confirmed the circumstances and “motive behind the crime” were being urgently investigated.
A Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed they are providing support to the family of a British woman following her death in Germany and remain in contact with local authorities.
