Overview
- Investigators say a DNA comparison more than 20 years after the discoveries shows the newborn found in Dortmund in December 1999 and the infant found in Krefeld in May 2005 were siblings.
- Kripo Dortmund and ZDF will present the linked cold cases on Aktenzeichen XY on Wednesday, June 3, to appeal nationwide for witnesses and information about the mother.
- The Dortmund newborn was discovered on December 25, 1999 wrapped in towels inside a black leather rucksack; investigators conclude the baby was born alive about two weeks earlier, weighed about 3,600 grams, and received no medical care at birth.
- The Krefeld infant was found on May 11, 2005 also in a rucksack, and police say anonymous letters were sent to authorities shortly after that discovery.
- Police are publicising a separate November 5, 2025 violent assault with released suspect images as part of the same broadcast, and authorities cite the long‑running show’s track record and modern DNA methods as key tools for generating new leads.