Suche
Mein Konto
Disappeared for 25 years: What happened to Lothar Demel from Augsburg?
Lothar Demel disappeared without a trace at Königsplatz in Augsburg in 2000. His case is discussed 25 years later in “Aktenzeichen XY”.
Disappeared for 25 years: What happened to Lothar Demel from Augsburg?
The case of Lothar Leopold Demel, who has been missing for 25 years, not only concerns the investigative authorities, but also attracts the attention of society. The 37-year-old disappeared on October 28, 2000 in Augsburg while he was on his way to a shooting competition in Traunstein. During a stopover at Königsplatz, Demel asked a friend to let him off and they agreed that he would pick him up the next morning. But Demel didn't show up and his cell phone was switched off shortly after he got out. A mysterious disappearance that still raises questions today.
As the nadr.de reported that there had been no movements in his bank account up to this hour and no evidence of a voluntary disappearance. Demel, who was considered a responsible family man at this point, was financially burdened; his house was in debt for around 250,000 DM. However, his family and friends do not believe that he simply wanted to leave his life behind. Through the investigation, the Ulm criminal police determined that there were no witnesses who had seen Demel after he got out. Information led to the “Rockfabrik” discotheque in Augsburg, but there was no confirmation of his presence.
A media echo
The case is now receiving new attention because on November 5, 2025, Lothar Demel's disappearance will be discussed in the ZDF program "Aktenzeichen XY... unsolved". The broadcaster calls on viewers to provide possible clues that could help solve the case. As the swp.de Reportedly, the same episode also deals with a kidnapping of an elderly woman and the discovery of a baby's body. The Demel case symbolizes the uncertainty that a disappearance leaves behind and the psychological burden on those left behind, who often have to deal with questions and fears for years.
Surprisingly, psychological studies show that the disappearance of a person causes long-term psychological distress for their relatives. In Germany, tens of thousands of people are reported missing every year, with most reappearing within a few days. However, in long-term missing person cases, such as that of Lothar Demel, the police face particular challenges. Evidence and witnesses can be lost over time, making it much more difficult to resolve the case.
Open questions and a call for help
What really happened at Königsplatz in Augsburg? Why did Demel want to get out there? Investigators are still interested in clues, although even small details could be crucial. The open question remains: Were there witnesses who still saw Demel? There are no signs of violence, an accident or even suicide. Relatives and friends of Lothar Demel express themselves on social media and share memories as they emotionally process the topicality of the case again.
The Ulm police rely on the support of the public and welcome any information that could lead to the case being solved. The emotional side of disappearances is also taken into account with increased media coverage: the fates behind such cases are often painful. The disappearance of Lothar Demel remains an urgent question that has not yet been answered even after 25 years.