Rebecca Reusch, a 15-year-old girl from Berlin, vanished on February 18, 2019, marking seven years of an unresolved mystery that continues to captivate Germany. Despite exhaustive searches and over 3,500 public tips received so far, police have not given up, with fresh leads still pouring in as recently as February 2026.
The Disappearance
Rebecca spent the night of February 17, 2019, at her sister's house in Berlin's Britz neighborhood, sleeping on the living room sofa. Her sister left for work around 7 a.m. the next day, and Rebecca never arrived at school; her phone last logged on at 7:46 a.m., with a Snapchat photo sent to a friend shortly before. The family reported her missing that afternoon, and her brother-in-law claimed she had already left when contacted by her mother.
Main Suspect: The Brother-in-Law
Police strongly suspect Rebecca's then-27-year-old brother-in-law (now 33) of killing her, believing she never left the house alive; he denies any involvement. He was alone with her that morning after returning from a party around 5:45 a.m., and his family's pink Renault Twingo was spotted on the A12 highway toward Poland later that day at 10:47 a.m., with unexplained trips to Brandenburg. He was arrested multiple times but released due to insufficient evidence, remaining the prime suspect.
Key Investigations and Searches
Over the years, police conducted massive operations, including woods and lakes along highways, house raids finding suspicious Google searches on strangulation, and acoustic tests in the home. A major breakthrough attempt came in October 2025 with over 100 officers searching properties of the suspect's grandparents in Tauche and Herzberg, Brandenburg, using excavators, drones, ground-penetrating radar, and cadaver dogs based on tips he may have hidden her body there temporarily. The suspect's car was re-examined, and items like her BTS sweater, pink jacket, and purple fleece blanket remain missing.
Ongoing Efforts and New Leads
Following the 2025 search, over 150 new tips arrived, with more continuing to come in regularly, all being followed up by Berlin's state prosecutor's office. As of February 2026, spokesperson Alan Bauer confirmed to dpa that investigations persist amid these leads, totaling around 3,500 tips overall. Police urge the public to submit information while warning against amateur sleuths who risk contaminating evidence.