Shocking kidnapping: Gernot Egolf dies in the bunker after five weeks!
Shocking kidnapping: Gernot Egolf dies in the bunker after five weeks!
On October 19, 1976, the 32-year-old Gernot Egolf, inheritance of the renowned Homburg Karlsberg brewery, was kidnapped. This dramatic and tragic kidnapping occurred through the two Homburg petty criminals Joachim M. and Andreas L. The victim was in a blown -in bunker near St. Wendel in captivity for over five weeks, while the kidnappers demanded a ransom of two million marks.
Gernot's father, a technical director at the Karlsberg brewery, made it clear that he did not have the required amount, which contributed to the difficulties of handing over money. Despite two planned handed over in Homburg, the kidnappers did not appear, which further tightened the situation. In the meantime, Gernot's state of health deteriorated considerably during his captivity, in which he was tied up in the wall with his hands on a Monier iron.
The crucial note and the sad turn
A crucial indication of Gernot's whereabouts was late to help him. The circumstances of his kidnapping were classified by a number of similar cases in Germany, which increased in the 1970s. There had been a number of ransom claims, including that of the Aldi-Nord founder Theo Albrecht, who was kidnapped on November 29, 1971 and was only released 17 days later against payment of seven million.
The kidnapping of Gernot Egolf was part of a worrying wave of crimes in Germany, which led to concerned discussions about the security of wealthy private individuals. [Wikipedia] recorded several similar incidents from this time, including the kidnapping of the experienced businessman Wolfgang Gutberlet, who was released only eight days later against a ransom of two million DM. At the same time, the case of Richard Oetker, who was kidnapped in December 1976 and also asked for a considerable ransom, was the focus of the public.
The processing of cases
The tragedy around Gernot Egolf finally ended with his body found. According to reports, he probably died of hypothermia. The kidnappers were caught shortly after his body, but the pain and the destruction for the family members and the affected community remained an unforgettable trauma. Gernot's case and others like him have not only been dealt with in detail in the media, but also shape the discussion about security and crimes in Germany to this day.
In retrospect, the case of Gernot Egolf is a depressing example of the dangers that are exposed to wealthy individuals, and the devastating consequences that can have such criminal acts for affected families. The story has also contributed to the fact that a broader debate about the prevention opportunities of such crimes, which is repeatedly taken up by both the police and society itself.| Details | |
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