Overview

• Pawlos, a six-year-old autistic boy, left his special needs school in Weilburg on March 25 and was reported missing within minutes.
• A massive search involving police, Bundeswehr reconnaissance, divers, and search dogs failed to locate him for weeks.
• On April 20, a canoeist discovered his body under a highway bridge over the Lahn River, and authorities confirmed his identity on April 22.
• A forensic autopsy determined that Pawlos drowned shortly after his disappearance and found no evidence of third-party involvement.
• Local leaders and officials expressed condolences, emphasizing the importance of giving the family space to grieve and find closure.