Scandal in the crime scene: real hair with fatal episodes in Zurich!

Scandal in the crime scene: real hair with fatal episodes in Zurich!

real hair - a dazzling business that not only turns hairstyles, but also dark stories. On June 15, 2025, the “Tatort” team entitled “Rapunzel” will present a gripping episode that revolves around the lucrative trade with real hair. Directed by Tobias Ineichen, while Adrian Illien wrote the script. In the leading roles, Isabelle Grandjean and Tessa Ott shine, which represent two young women who collapse into a wig manufacturer in Zurich and steal real hair worth 100,000 francs. However, the hunt for this valuable asset leads into a network of entanglements and tragedies.

While the action of the episode increases the pulse of the audience, it also takes a fascinating view of the global market for real hair. According to the Frankfurter Neue Presse , the global market for wigs and extensions in 2021 was around 6.13 millions US dollars, with a forecast of $ 11.8 billion by 2030. It should be emphasized that two thirds of the hair parts sold in the USA are made of human hair.

The path of the temple hair

Where does all the hair come from? A large part comes from India, where believers sacrifice their hair in temples, such as the famous Tirupati temple. There the hair is donated as part of a ritual to bring health and prosperity. P. Rangaraju, a temple hairdresser, runs up to 50 sounds every day, which makes the temple one of the largest hair suppliers worldwide, such as the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported. The trade is currently flourishing with real hair, as it is highly in demand for hair extensions and wigs.

But there are not only bright sides in the shop: Reports talk about illegal practices in which women are forced to have their hair cut. Escaling prices due to new market participants tighten the situation for many who have to live on this trade. Women from poorer countries often sell their hair to secure their livelihood. Just like Sumati Jayapathi, who sacrificed her hair in the temple of Palani to finance the dream of its own house, as can be read on Geo

threats and blackmail in hair trade

In the "crime scene: Rapunzel" it also becomes clear that it is not just about hair quality, but also about the dark business that are connected with it. The investigators encounter invoices from the Majestic Hair hair dealer, who does not process Kosher hair for Jewish Orthodox wigs. This leads to blackmail and conflicts when Heinrich Vogel kidnapped Lynn Fischer as revenge act. Unfortunately, it turns out that Vanessa, who was also involved in the machinations, is tragically killed.