Murder of Cologne millionaire: Police are looking for witnesses – 35,000 euros reward!

Murder of Cologne millionaire: Police are looking for witnesses – 35,000 euros reward!

Yesterday evening, the shocking case of the murdered Cologne millionaire Phil Giesen was presented on the ZDF program “Aktenzeichen XY”. The 74-year-old entrepreneur and operator of a tanning salon chain was brutally murdered in his villa in Cologne-Hahnwald on October 8, 2024. The morning after the crime, an employee found his body. How GA.de According to reports, the Cologne police were contacted by over a hundred people after the broadcast who provided information about the case.

The alleged perpetrators broke into Giesen's house via a neighboring property while he was away. When he returned after 11 p.m. that evening, there was a confrontation during which the millionaire was tied up and brutally beaten. The perpetrators stayed in the villa for three hours and even opened a safe from which they stole tens of thousands of euros. What is particularly noticeable is the theft of several thousand euros in two-euro coins as well as the victim's striking black leather jacket. This could now be important in the investigation, as the perpetrators could potentially give themselves away.

Suspects and clues

The investigators' hope now rests on the new information that has been received by the police since the television broadcast. The large number of clues mainly relate to the brand of the stolen jacket. A dark car, presumably a BMW 1 Series, was also recorded being seen near the villa during the crime. Shoe prints were also found at the crime scene that could have come from shoes from well-known brands such as Kappa, Fila, Bristol or a Nike knockoff. The police are urgently looking for witnesses who made observations on the night of the crime, particularly on the street “Im Finkenhain” in Cologne-Hahnwald.

In order to catch the possible perpetrators, the Cologne public prosecutor's office, together with the victim's company, has offered a reward totaling 35,000 euros for information that could help solve the crime. This is an incentive that could motivate many people to come forward, even if they have previously been reluctant.

Crime in Germany

The brutality of the case reflects a worrying reality: crime in Germany in 2022 has increased Statista reported to experience an increase. Over 5.63 million crimes were recorded, with thefts and robberies increasing again in recent years. In North Rhine-Westphalia in particular, over 23,500 residential burglaries were recorded, many of which remained unexplained.

What happens next? The Cologne Criminal Police investigators are doing everything they can to shed light on this crime. Citizens are called upon to report suspicious observations. Anyone with information should contact the police on 0221/2290. Remember: Every tip counts in achieving justice for Phil Giesen and his family.