Cold Case Revived: Stuttgart Police Receives Surge of Tips after "Aktenzeichen XY … ungelöst"
The Stuttgart Police Department has been flooded with tips following the broadcast of the ZDF television program "Aktenzeichen XY … ungelöst," which featured two unsolved crimes: the sexual assault of an eight-year-old girl and the murder of a tavern owner.
Sexual Assault Investigation
The search for an unknown young male suspect intensified after the program aired. According to police, the suspect allegedly approached two eight-year-old girls in June 2023, following them into a wooded area. While one girl managed to escape, the suspect allegedly sexually assaulted the other.
A passerby alerted the police, who arrived with the assistance of two other individuals. The suspect fled the scene, but police were able to secure his DNA. A subsequent database search revealed a match connecting the suspect to a second assault on a nine-year-old girl in Bruchsal three months later.
Police believe the suspect may have local connections to Bruchsal. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives actively pursuing leads provided by the public.
Murder Investigation
The second case featured in the program is the unsolved murder of a tavern owner in Heidenheim in September 2016. Police allege that the victim’s brother-in-law, a 43-year-old Greek man, shot and killed the victim during a heated argument.
The suspect fled the scene and his vehicle was later discovered, but he remains at large. Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, has been called in to assist with the investigation. A reward of 4,000 euros has been offered by the Ellwangen Public Prosecutor’s Office for information leading to his arrest.
Public Response
The Stuttgart Police Department has received approximately 100 tips via phone and email as a result of the "Aktenzeichen XY … ungelöst" broadcast. These tips are currently being evaluated by detectives.
The department has not yet provided information on whether any relevant tips were received regarding the murder investigation.
Community Involvement
The Stuttgart Police Department and the Heidenheim Police Department are urging the public to continue providing any information they may have that could assist in solving these crimes.
Citizens are encouraged to contact the Stuttgart Police Department at 0711/8990-5778 or the Heidenheim Police Department at 07321/322-0 with any potential leads.
Significance
The response to the "Aktenzeichen XY … ungelöst" program underscores the importance of public collaboration in solving cold cases. The tips provided by the community could potentially lead to significant breakthroughs in both investigations and bring justice to the victims and their families.
