Mysterious case: What happened to 12-year-old Ronny P. from Brandenburg?

Mysterious case: What happened to 12-year-old Ronny P. from Brandenburg?

Brandenburg an der Havel, Deutschland - On July 22, 1992, the then 12-year-old Ronny P. from Brandenburg an der Havel set out to friends without guessing that this would be the last day of his life. He said goodbye to his parents and planned to come back home in the evening. But after an uncertain period, Ronny remained disappeared. Days of searches were unsuccessful, and the fear of the worst increased.

On August 3, 1992, the cruel breakthrough came. A murder commission found the missing boy in a garden colony, dismembered and buried. This terrible discovery made not only the investigators, but also the whole nation listened. An investigator of that time is interviewed in a film by Gabriele Denecke and describes how it was possible to convict Ronny P.'s murderer. The boy's parents of the young parts of the terrible days in summer ’92 and the lasting consequences of this trauma for their family and society.

context to child murder victims

The fates of children like Ronny P. are not only isolated cases, but also reflect a disturbing phenomenon. According to a recent study by the Federal Criminal Police Office, which was published on April 2, 2025, the number of minor murder victims recorded in Germany between 2014 and 2024 is considerable. This investigation shows the sad reality that numerous children under the age of 18 have lost their lives through the use of violence in such a period of time. Statista offers a comprehensive data overview on this topic, which was made accessible on July 13, 2025 and makes the dimension of this problem clear.

The brutal crimes against young people provoke a broad social discussion about security, prevention and dealing with perpetrators. Such tragedies not only leave physical traces, but also emotional devastation that can survive generations. The case of Ronny P. is unfortunately only one of many.

For those interested, the film that illuminates this cruel story is broadcast on the program "Perpetrator - Victim - Police Extra". Further details can be found on the TV feature film website, where the format is presented in detail.

The fate of Ronny P. and the results of the crime statistics are admonishing examples that constant vigilance and a collective awareness of the security of our children are necessary out there. The public dialogue, initiated by such sad events, could one day contribute to the fact that fewer parents have to have similar terrible experiences.

Further information on the broadcast and the film can be found on TV feature film . For a deeper insight into the studies on underage murder victims, please visit Statista . The case of Ronny P. remains not only a dark chapter in crime history, but also a call to all of us to carefully pay attention to our children and to stand up for their safety.