New lead after eleven years: Styrian investigators seek identity of unknown dead man with Bremen connection

The clothing items and a bicycle recovered at the scene led to an early conclusion that the deceased was a cyclist. Items found included a grey jersey, black long jogging trousers and a black rain jacket (both Adidas), a presumed dark-blue long-sleeved cycling jersey of the Shamp brand, and black short cycling shorts with a red padded insert (BL Bicycle Line). The bicycle is a black model of the Cube brand, which was distributed in Germany between 2003 and 2007. The frame number of the bike has not yet yielded any further findings, it was said.

Chief investigator Andreas Dirnberger of the Styrian State Criminal Police Office explained the new direction of the investigation: "We are particularly hoping for tips from Germany. Perhaps someone recognises the jersey, remembers a participant of a course at the time, or has been missing a relative, friend or acquaintance for years. Every tip could help clarify the man's identity and give his fate a name after all these years."

Investigation approach in Bremen

At the centre of the search is a grey cycling jersey which, according to investigators, was presumably manufactured in Italy and distributed in 2008 and 2009 in the Bremen area by the National Cycling Academy (NCA) to graduates of spinning courses. Whether the man himself came from Germany or had connections there remains unclear. According to investigators, records from the distribution period at the time no longer exist, making the research additionally difficult.

Hunter discovered the body years earlier

As investigators further reported, a hunter confessed to police that he had already discovered the dead man in 2014 or 2015. However, he did not report it because the hunter "did not want to disturb the wild animals in the hunting ground," it was said by the investigators. The bike was not located directly next to the body; the hunter had stored the apparently abandoned bicycle in a weather-protected place at his farm, where it remained in good condition and was apparently used occasionally.

The hunter only reported the case eleven years after the discovery, when ownership of the large property was to be transferred. Despite extensive criminal police investigations, DNA analyses and forensic examinations, the man's identity has not yet been clarified. A cross-check with known missing persons cases at home and abroad has so far yielded no matches.

Previous investigations and appeal

A definitive cause of death can no longer be determined due to the condition of the remains. Foul play cannot be ruled out, although there are no concrete indications of this. The case will be examined in more detail on the programme "Fahndung Österreich" on ServusTV on Wednesday at 20:15 and online.

Investigators are calling on persons who can provide information about the jersey, about NCA spinning courses in the Bremen area from 2008 and 2009, or about a relative who has been missing for years to contact the Styrian State Criminal Police Office.

The recovered item and the possible distribution of the jersey in northern Germany raise the question for investigators of whether the man came from Germany or whether the garment possibly reached Austria by another route. The responsible authorities are currently examining to what extent former participant lists, promotional campaigns or dealer contacts of the NCA can be reconstructed.