On September 3, 2010, 10-year-old Mirco Schlitter disappeared while riding his grass-green dirt bike home from the skate park in Grefrath-Oed. When Mirco did not come home, his parents reported him missing to the police. This was followed by one of the largest search operations in Germany, involving hundreds of police officers, drones, German Armed Forces Tornado fighter jets with thermal imaging cameras, and divers who combed the surrounding waters. Journalists were also involved in the search. The 80-member Soko Mirco task force followed up on over 9,000 leads. It quickly became clear that, according to the specialists in operational case analysis, the perpetrator lived in the area. After two days, not only was Mirco’s bicycle found on a dirt road just 500 meters from his home, but a female driver also discovered Mirco’s sweatpants at a rest stop. Shortly afterwards, more of Mirco’s clothes turned up, on which DNA traces and fibers from a car seat could be secured from Mirco’s pants. The decisive clue to Mirco’s murderer came from a witness who had seen a dark VW Passat B6 series car on the day of Mirco’s disappearance. Based on the fibers from Mirco’s sweatpants, it was a Passat AR model, of which 105,000 were registered in Germany at the time. A tireless search for the Passat began, with the public actively helping to locate the car and its driver. The Passat was a leased car that had almost been sold to Russia. Until the contract expired, it had been driven by Olaf Hegger, a 45-year-old married father of three from Schwalmtal, who was a telecommunications employee. During questioning, he confessed to Mirco’s murder and eventually led investigators to his body. After 146 days, Mirco’s murderer was finally caught. His motive was not only sexual abuse, but primarily the act of humiliation. Olaf had seen Mirco on his bicycle on the dirt road at around 10 p.m. on September 3, 2010, and blocked his path with his car. He forced Mirco to get off his bike and get into his car. Then he drove away with him. When he stopped somewhere in a wooded area near Kerken, he abused him and then strangled him with a cord. On September 29, 2011, Olaf Hegger was sentenced to life imprisonment with particular severity of guilt by the Krefeld Regional Court for murder, sexual abuse, and deprivation of liberty.
By Isabella Mueller
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!