Confession in the Peggy murder case

The fate of little Peggy is one of the most puzzling missing person cases!

here in 2016 . Today, September 21, 2018, the police announced that a 41-year-old German admitted to taking the girl's lifeless body into the forest. However, he does not want to be responsible for her death.

With the current measures taken by the special commission (SOKO) Peggy at the Bayreuth criminal police and the Bayreuth public prosecutor's office, the investigators have taken an important step. In his recent interrogation, 41-year-old Manuel S. stated that he had brought the lifeless body of Peggy Knobloch, then nine years old, to the forest in Thuringia. In order to verify the information, the SOKO is asking for further information about the man and his gold-colored Audi 80. A reward of 30,000 euros is still being offered.

Joint press release from the Upper Franconia Police Headquarters and the Bayreuth Public Prosecutor's Office

After the remains of Peggy Knobloch, who disappeared in May 2001, were found in July 2016, lengthy criminal investigations and complex scientific studies with a wide variety of objectives followed. The existing evidence and the resulting findings had to be continually compared by the investigators with the already known files and re-evaluated each time. The history of the investigation, the enormous amount of files and information and, in particular, the condition of Peggy Knobloch's remains, which were only discovered in 2016, required not only criminal instincts but also the involvement of scientific disciplines that lie outside the usual investigative routines.

Results from the site lead to a 41-year-old

The sum of the findings from the investigation of traces generated at the site as well as the reassessment of existing police findings brought 41-year-old Manuel S. back into the focus of the investigation. A forensic palynologist (pollenology) discovered different, microscopic pollen on the girl's remains, which were later identified as components of peat. There was a connection here to the man's planting work on the day of the crime, which was already known to the investigators. After the inspection, microparticles secured at the storage location turned out to be paint residues, such as those found in renovation waste. The investigators knew that the now accused had carried out extensive renovation work at the time. Furthermore, the review of existing video recordings from the Sparkasse branch at the time raised considerable doubts about the man's previously claimed alibi. Contrary to his previous statements, he was driving his vehicle in Lichtenberg on the afternoon of May 7, 2001. Despite the long time, the investigators have now been able to locate the gold-colored Audi 80 and conduct a forensic examination of it.

Long-term planned operational measures

Last week, investigators executed search warrants obtained by the Bayreuth public prosecutor's office at several properties in Lichtenberg and the Wunsiedel district. Among other things, they also secured evidence that the 41-year-old had specifically named during his interrogation. The evaluation of this will take longer.

Accused admits shipment

In connection with the investigative measures, investigators questioned Manuel S.
He stated that he was driving his Audi 80 in Lichtenberg on the day Peggy disappeared when a man he named - about whom no further information can currently be given in view of the ongoing investigation - stopped him should. The accused states that he took the lifeless girl from the man in a bus shelter on Poststrasse. Manuel S. claims to have tried to ventilate the girl. He further states that he wrapped the victim in a red blanket, placed it in the trunk of his vehicle and then left it in a forest in Thuringia - where the victim was later found. He further added that a few days later he burned the girl's school bag and jacket at his home. The information provided by Manuel S. confirms the established basis that gave rise to the extensive measures against the 41-year-old. The investigators are convinced that they have identified the man who took the lifeless girl into the forest and have thus taken a significant step forward in the case. However, the events before the shipment have not yet been finally clarified and require further investigations.

The investigators are currently assuming the following dates relevant to the crime on May 7, 2001:

• Last confirmed sighting of Peggy Knobloch at 1:24 p.m. at Henri-Marteau-Platz
• Secured stay of Manuel S. in the then Sparkasse branch at 3:17 p.m

In this context, the detectives are once again asking for the public's help and asking the following questions:

• Who saw the gold-colored Audi 80 on Monday, May 7, 2001?
• Who noticed people on or in the vehicle, possibly including Peggy Knobloch?
• Who has ever seen Manuel S. with Peggy before?
• Who can associate the colors shown here with renovation work in Lichtenberg?

Source: Bavaria Police