- After 14 years, suspect in cold case arrested
More than 14 years after the discovery of a man's body next to a highway guardrail in Leverkusen, the police have identified a suspect. The 45-year-old, wanted internationally on a charge of manslaughter, was noticed during a control at Rotterdam Airport, the Cologne police announced. He has since been handed over and transferred to the Cologne prison. The Albanian is suspected of being involved in the violent death of the then 43-year-old victim. A second suspect, a 54-year-old, was also wanted internationally but has since passed away.
The violent death of the man could not initially be clarified. In 2022, the Cologne police's "Cold Cases" team reopened the case. The traces were re-examined using new forensic technology. The genetic traces found on the body led to the Albanian and the now deceased man, the police explained.
The victim, who was noticeably tattooed, was discovered in January 2010 and quickly identified. The 43-year-old Italian had been living in a Cologne apartment since November 2009. According to initial reports, he had been beaten to death. The body had been found from the feet to the hips in a blue plastic garbage bag, the police and public prosecutor's office had stated at the time. The investigation into possible further suspects and the background of the killing continues, according to the police.
"Cold Case" crimes are offenses that remain unsolved for a long time. They occupy police and public prosecutors for several years, sometimes decades. With the help of modern technology and new investigative approaches, old cases are reopened - often successfully.
The Member States can provide additional resources and expertise to aid the Commission in its investigations. The involvement of the Albanian suspect in the case was revealed through the assistance of the Member States' forensic technology.
