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Identity of the skeleton found in the Harz Mountains: Missing man finally identified!
Hikers find skulls in the Harz Mountains; Identity of the dead man clarified. Police are looking for information about the missing man from Groß Döhren.
Identity of the skeleton found in the Harz Mountains: Missing man finally identified!
A mystery that has stirred minds in recent months is now taking a sad turn. In May 2024, hikers came across a skeletonized human skull near Clausthal-Zellerfeld. This discovery led to extensive police measures in which the area in the Upper Harz was searched over several days. Despite an intensive search for further remains, the skull remained the only item found in the impassable terrain. On June 12, 2025, the Goslar police station announced that the identity of the deceased had been clarified - a 65-year-old man from Wildemann who was reported missing in spring 2023. The skull was previously taken to Hannover Medical School, where forensic doctors secured genetic material. A DNA comparison with databases from the State Criminal Police Office was necessary to reach this result. After the investigation has been completed, the skull will now be released for burial, as News38 reports.
But it's not just this mysterious discovery that's causing unrest in the region. The case of another missing person is also under an unfavorable star. Karsten Manczak, a 51-year-old man from Groß Döhren, has been missing since April 13, 2025. The police no longer view the case as a classic missing person case, but rather assume it was a violent crime. There is evidence at the missing person's home address that suggests an injury in the garden area of the property. Manczak left his home between 5 and 5:15 a.m. on the morning in question. His vehicle, a blue VW Caddy with the license plate GS - KK 31, was discovered on April 16th at the exhibition center in Hanover - parked neatly and locked. The “Fortuna” investigation team was set up for this case and the police are asking for information on various aspects, such as the sighting of the vehicle or possible witnesses who could contribute to the whereabouts of Karsten Manczak. Information can be sent directly to the Goslar police station, as reported by [Regionalheute].
Violent crime on the rise
The cases touch on a sensitive topic – violent crime in Germany. Statistics show that these account for less than 4% of all crimes recorded by the police, but still have a major impact on people's sense of security. Around 217,000 violent crimes were registered in 2024, and it is the highest number since 2007. The increase cannot be overlooked: the number of violent crimes fell from 2017, while it reached a low in 2021 during the corona pandemic. Since then, however, the number of violent crimes has increased again and is now almost a third above its low point. Reasons for this could be economic insecurity and social pressures, which create an environment for violent crime. It also shows that a significant proportion of suspects are under the age of 21, which indicates a worrying trend, as Statista summarizes.
Whether in your own neighborhood or in the news, concerns about safety are increasing on many levels. It remains to be hoped that the police can quickly resolve the open questions and cases in order to give citizens back some security. Despite all the headlines, it is usually the interpersonal factors that determine how we feel in our surroundings. There must be a joint effort not only to stand up to the perpetrators, but also to provide justice to the victims.