New hope in the Ulla Lilienthal murder: Notes wanted!

New hope in the Ulla Lilienthal murder: Notes wanted!

The city of Hanover is in the spotlight again, and this time it is about a tragic criminal case that has been 39 years ago. Ulla Lilienthal, only 15 years old, was seen for the last time in 1985 in the pedestrian zone of Großburgwedel, only to be found dead a short time later. The case still has its riddle and remains unresolved. In order to get to the perpetrator, the police are now putting the popular television program "File number XY".

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, the case will be presented in a episode of the ZDF format, and the investigators hope to receive new information. The central hint, which could possibly advance the investigation, is a red sweatshirt with the inscription "Boston College", which is closely linked to the fate of the young Ulla. Although it was decades ago, the memory of Ulla and the hope of justice remains alive.

Ulla Lilienthals missing person and the decisive information

After Ulla disappeared in Groβburgwedel on January 23, 1985, her body was discovered in a forest called "Sprille enclos" just a few weeks later, on February 10, 1985. Two strollers came across the girl's undressed body, which triggered the investigation into one of the best known unresolved murder cases in Lower Saxony. A few days before the gruesome find, clothing was found near the parking lot that Ulla could be assigned.

A particularly important detail is the said red sweatshirt, which belonged to one of the suspects at that time and, according to the police, was carried on after the disappearance of Ulla. This piece of clothing could therefore provide crucial indications of what could have happened to Ulla and who is responsible for her death. The special investigation group Cold Case in Hanover considers this note as the key to solving the case.

call for help: reward and request for information

In order to revitalize the case, the Hanover police have suspended a reward of 5,000 euros for information that could lead to the arrest of the perpetrator. The investigators call on witnesses to contact the police crime service. There is hope that the broadcast in “File number XY” asks the citizens to share their information. Numerous unresolved cases have already been solved by the program, and the police are confident that Ulla Lilienthal's case could also be crowned with a similar success.

This revival of the Falls Ulla Lilienthal happens in a context in which the public interest in criminal cases and its enlightenment increases. The number of viewers of "File number XY" has also increased in recent years. In the past, a variety of calls and clues made it possible for the police to see unresolved crimes in a new light and possibly take decisive steps towards justice.

The case remains important not only for the police, but also for people in the region. Many still remember the terrible headlines from 1985, and the question of what really happened remains unanswered to this day. Every detail can be crucial and, paired with new interest from the population, break through the chain of secrets.

The power of media and public relations

The meaning of programs such as "file number XY" must not be underestimated. They are not only a media platform, but also a tool that supports police work. By spreading information and calling for help, the entire society is involved in the investigation of crime cases, which can lead to a better feeling of security. The case of Ulla Lilienthal is a concise example of how you can bring past the light to the public for decades. The question remains: Who can help us find the last piece of the puzzle to clarify this tragic case?

background of the Fall Ulla Lilienthal

The unexplained murder of Ulla Lilienthal is not only a local crime, but also part of a larger social and criminal context in Germany during the 1980s. During this time, the country experienced a phase of growing social change. The role of the police and the public perception of crime began to change, triggered by a variety of media reports on violent crimes.

The public media, especially television, became an important tool to raise awareness of crimes and to involve the public in the Enlightenment. "File number XY" played a central role in informing the public about unresolved cases and motivating them to help. The formats of the 1980s were often sensational and contributed to the creation of a collective consciousness about the dangers in society.

Statistical data on crime in Germany

Especially with regard to Cold Cases, it can be seen that increased public attention, such as the "file number XY" is achieved by media reports and programs, often leads to an increase in indications. In 2021 there was, for example, a study that showed that about 30 percent of the cases presented on television programs could lead to new information.