1986: A child died in a cornfield. - Further insights have emerged into the unsolved murder of 11-year-old Marc.
Criminalist Ulrich Kayser, who has 45 years of experience, has spent the past few days poring over a cold case file - the brutal murder of a schoolboy in Unna, North Rhine-Westphalia. At the ripe age of 64 and after recently retiring, Kayser, together with younger colleague Jana Hoppe, 30, is determined to solve this case.
One file in particular struck a chord with Kayser. When he saw the pictures of the beaten, lifeless boy among the corn plants, it struck him - his grandson is also just a few years younger.
"The Marc case grabbed me straight away. Seeing the images of the child surrounded by corn plants, it's hard not to think of my own grandson. The thought that such a thing could be done to a child is unimaginable," said Kayser.
Marc Gutte, 13 years old, had recovered from an illness on September 30, 1986, and planned to cycle to a friend's house in the afternoon. He never made it. His mother waited in vain from 6:30 PM on for the dutiful and reliable teen. The following day, police found Marc's body on a path in the field.
Hoppe is also familiar with the case's details, having moved from the fraud squad to the cold case department. She, too, is dedicated to ensuring that Marc's mother eventually hears the news of an arrest. The victim's parents have been grieving for over three decades.
How can a case from over 38 years ago still be solved?
Hoppe maintains that modern forensic technology is key to solving this case. Improvements in DNA analysis methods allow for more accurate results. Hoppe and Kayser revisited the crime scene recently and re-interviewed witnesses and followed up on new leads.
One witness, a friend of the victim's, reported an altercation with older boys from the BMX scene. "Even after such a long time, there are still people who can contribute to the investigation. Sometimes one seemingly insignificant observation can make a huge difference for us," notes Kayser.
After many years, even individuals close to the perpetrator come forward, trying to avoid being prosecuted. Now that most crimes from back then are no longer time-barred, confidants can speak up without fearing repercussions, explains Gregor Schmidt, head of the cold case department.
Profilers are also trying to characterize the profile of Marc Gutte's killer. These experts, almost unheard of at the time of the crime, have a challenging job. Kayser speculates, "At the time of the murder, the perpetrator may have completely lost control for a trivial reason."
Today, Marc Gutte would have been 49 years old. Possibly married with children. Anyone who could help find his murderer should contact the police at 0231-1327441.
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Source: symclub.org
