Missing Girl in Germany For 15 Years Found in Woodlands Near Her Home

The remains of a nine-year-old girl who was missing 15 years ago in Thueringen, Bavaria in Germany has been found near her home.

Peggy Knobloch was last seen walking from school on May 5, 2001 in Thueringen, Bavaria before she vanished in broad daylight.

Extensive police search then commenced after her abduction but she was never found.

Now, 15 years later, the skeletal remains of the missing girl in woodlands was discovered near her home. The Telegraph reported that a member of the public found several bones on the surface in the woods as the person was looking for mushrooms outside Thueringen on Saturday about 14 kilometres from Peggy’s house.

Thomas Villwock of the local prosecutor’s office said that some personal items were also found that pointed towards Peggy.

It is believed that the girl may have been buried in a shallow grave which was interfered with by wild animals.

Peggy’s disappearance has resulted in a huge search involving police and the military, with officers sent to the Czech Republic and Turkey, believing she had been kidnapped. Hundreds of police and troops have also joined in the search throughout the countryside near her home.

In 2002, a local man with learning difficulties admitted to killing Peggy but later withdrew this confession, but was jailed for life for murder to serve his sentence in a psychiatric unit. However, in 2014, the man’s conviction was overturned and he was released.

Although her body has been found, the case is not closed as police say it is still unclear how Peggy died or who was responsible. “The bones were in the forest for 15 years. Details of the cause of death are not yet available,” Herbert Potzel of the prosecutor’s office said.

Police reportedly believe Peggy died elsewhere and her killer brought her body to the woods to hide it.