Investigators Seek New Leads: Will This Poster Finally Identify Sonja's Killer After 30 Years?

München - It has been three decades since the disappearance of Sonja Engelbrecht, a 19-year-old woman who vanished on April 10, 1995, in Munich. On that fateful day, she was dressed in black trousers and a new leather jacket she had received for her birthday, heading out to meet a friend. The last sighting of her was at the Siglmaierplatz tram stop late that night.

Sonja's case took a tragic turn when her remains were discovered in a wooded area near Kipfenberg, in the Eichstätt district, in March 2022. It was confirmed that she had been the victim of a sexual crime before being murdered, with her body concealed in a rock crevice.

Despite the passage of time, the Munich homicide division remains committed to solving the case. Recently, investigators have renewed hope for breakthroughs, as they plan to distribute new posters in Kipfenberg and surrounding areas.

The location where Sonja's skeleton was found is notable for its remoteness, leading detectives to believe that the perpetrator was familiar with the terrain, possibly as a hunter or mushroom collector. So far, 80 men, including hunters and forestry workers who frequently traverse the area, have provided DNA samples, but to no avail.

Sonja's remains were found packaged in bags and plastic wrap, secured with tape. The materials used suggested that the assailant may have had experience with construction or renovation work. Among the evidence collected was a distinctive blue-black blanket featuring a pattern of a couple, which raises questions about its origin. The police have previously sought information about this blanket during a segment on the investigative show 'Aktenzeichen XY,' but no leads have emerged.

Interestingly, Sonja was discovered without her clothes, indicating that the assailant likely discarded her garments shortly after the crime, dragging her body into the woods covered only by the blanket.

Authorities are asking the public for any information related to suspicious activities in the Kipfenberg woods during 1994 and 1995 or any details that may pertain to Sonja Engelbrecht's tragic fate. Tips can be reported to the police at 089/2910-0 or any local police station. A reward of EUR10,000 remains available for information leading to an arrest.