By Michael Niehus and Lilly von der Osten
Last week, Northern Irishwoman Shelby Lynn (24) publicly claimed that she was given knockout drops at a backstage party at a Rammstein concert in Vilnius (Lithuania). Then she is said to have been abused. Shelby posted a deep blue hematoma on her body on social networks.
In the meantime, she made it clear: “Till did NOT touch me. He accepted that I didn’t want sex with him. I never claimed he raped me.”
The band Rammstein had denied any allegations in connection with the concert in Vilnius last Sunday. “Regarding the allegations about Vilnius circulating online, we can rule out that what is alleged to have happened in our environment. We are not aware of any official investigations into this.”
Now there are new allegations from several women that go even further.
Two women reported to NDR and “Süddeutsche Zeitung” about sexual acts that they allegedly did not consent to. And further: Numerous young women are said to have been specifically recruited to have sex with Till Lindemann (60).
The women were approached at concerts or in advance via Instagram by people close to the Rammstein singer to come to backstage parties. They were asked to dress attractively and were supposed to send photos of themselves in advance. A woman was also informed that access to the party was only possible if she was interested in sex with the singer.
In one case, sex with singer Till Lindemann in an adjoining room is said to have occurred before a concert in 2020. The 22-year-old woman did not expressly reject it, but felt extremely uncomfortable. Compared to NDR and “Süddeutsche Zeitung” she says: “At that moment I just thought: Oh my God, that hurts, hopefully it will be over soon.” She was in severe pain. “I also bled afterwards.” Today the woman describes the sex with Lindemann, which she describes as violent, as an assault and abuse of power.
Another young woman (21) passed out in a hotel room at an after-show party for frontman Lindemann. When she regained consciousness, Lindemann allegedly lay on her and asked her if he should stop. “I didn’t even know what he was trying to quit.”
The women have given affidavits to NDR and “Süddeutsche Zeitung” and remain anonymous at their own request.
Rammstein and Till Lindemann were confronted by NDR and “Süddeutsche Zeitung” with the allegations that both the band and the singer left the inquiries unanswered – as did those of BILD.
BILD also has reports from women who are said to have had similar experiences at backstage parties. A Brazilian who was at a Rammstein concert in the Netherlands in 2019 and the subsequent backstage parties drank alcohol with Lindemann and had to throw up. A minder initially even prevented her from wanting to leave. There was no sexual activity in this case.
Today, on Friday afternoon, the Kiepenheuer & Witsch publishing house announced that it was ending its collaboration with Till Lindemann. “We have followed public allegations against Till Lindemann in recent days with shock. Our sympathy and respect goes to the women affected.”