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OLG Bamberg: Peggy's mother loses her lawsuit for pain and suffering in the final
In the Peggy case, the Bamberg Higher Regional Court dismissed her mother's claim for compensation for pain and suffering, who was suing for 15 years of uncertainty.
OLG Bamberg: Peggy's mother loses her lawsuit for pain and suffering in the final
A bitter setback for Peggy's mother
In a tragic and protracted legal battle, the mother of Peggy, who disappeared in 2001, has no legal right to compensation from a former suspect. As the South German newspaper reported, the civil chamber of the Bamberg Higher Regional Court rejected the mother's lawsuit on July 10, 2025. The judge confirmed that there was insufficient evidence that the defendant actually took Peggy's body to a forest in the Thuringian area. An appeal was not permitted and the plaintiff failed to file an appeal with the Federal Court of Justice in a timely manner.
The mother demanded 75,000 euros, citing the 15 years of uncertainty and psychological stress she endured while she was uncertain about her daughter's whereabouts. She demanded 5,000 euros for each year of uncertainty. The defendant stated in 2018 that he had received the girl's lifeless body at a bus stop in Lichtenberg and then taken it to the forest. However, he soon withdrew this partial confession and stated that he had been under pressure from the police. The police vigorously denied these allegations, which added additional strain to the complex investigation into this tragic case.
The Peggy case: An unforgettable chapter
Peggy, who was nine years old at the time, disappeared on her way home from school on May 7, 2001. Her remains were only found in 2016 in the border area between Bavaria and Thuringia. The case, which is considered one of the most famous criminal cases in Germany, remained largely unsolved until Peggy's death was solved. In the first wave of the investigation, a mentally disabled man was convicted, but he was released in a retrial in 2014. The public prosecutor's office stopped the investigation in 2020 and the case has been considered a “cold case” ever since.
The case repeatedly raises questions, not just of a legal nature. The Statista points out that crimes against life, such as murder and manslaughter, only make up a small part of registered crimes in Germany, but shape a large part of public perception. Peggy's case also bears witness to the challenges that police work poses when solving crimes and dealing with victims and their families.
The current situation in Germany also shows a general decrease in crimes of 1.7%, which is largely due to fewer cannabis crimes. Nevertheless, the crime rate – especially sexual offenses – and the associated fears among the population remain high. These developments shed light on the circumstances and the uncertain situation in which many people find themselves today, not least in relation to solving unsolved cases like Peggy's.
In summary, it can be said that the fight for justice and the clarification of Peggy's fate continues to move people's minds and we as a society must continually ask ourselves how we can do justice to both the victims and the survivors.