Suspected murder at drug seminar: Was it a random victim?

Suspected murder at drug seminar: Was it a random victim?

The latest episode of the Cologne crime series “Soko Cologne” is about a mysterious murder case that has its origins in a coaching seminar. Thilo Tengemann, a participant in the seminar, is found dead in his garage. The circumstances are frightening: He ingested the poison through one of the so-called drug balls that were distributed at the seminar. The suspected perpetrator could be seminar leader Hajo Hainer, who is known for his unusual methods, including the use of drugs for therapeutic purposes. The SOKO team has a foot in the door with their plan to sneak Jonas into the seminar undercover in order to get to the bottom of the matter. This is reported by ZDF.

The background to the case is complicated. Hainer is suspected of being behind the murder, but Tengemann's partner Pia von Palm and his brother Alf are also being investigated by the police. However, no proof of the crime can be provided for either of them. Another suspect is Claudine Keller, a colleague of Tengemann's, who also took part in the seminar and may have had a motive, especially in view of her competitive situation. It remains to be clarified whether Tengemann was perhaps a completely accidental victim, which makes the investigation even more difficult, as Magdeburg klickt highlights.

Therapy or danger?

In the context of the murder, the case also raises some interesting questions about the use of drugs in therapy. The use of psychedelics, as historically used by psychotherapists, has both supporters and critics. For example, during his LSD therapy, Yehiel De-Nur experienced intense emotional processes that helped him process repressed memories. Such therapies have fallen into the background in recent decades, but are gaining importance again thanks to new studies, as taz reports.

Researchers have found that substances such as LSD and psilocybin can be effective against mental illness in controlled environments. However, the use of drugs in a therapeutic context is also associated with considerable risks, and skepticism in Germany is still strong due to historical background. The question therefore remains whether Hajo Hainer's methods represent an innovative opportunity or rather a risk.

Suspects and their motivations

The investigation by the SOKO team is unpredictable because the drug balls were randomly distributed among the seminar participants. This could fill the crime scene with a variety of motives and suspects, and the SOKO team has their hands full trying to shed light on the matter.

The team's characters, including Lilly Funke, Matti Wagner and Vanessa Haas, contribute their individual talents to get to the truth. With a gripping mix of investigations, suspense and the intriguing background of drug use in psychotherapy, viewers will be taken on a captivating journey in the upcoming episode on June 3, 2025.

Overall, the episode not only shows the fight against crime, but also asks important questions about the ethics of drug use in therapy - questions that are also not entirely unimportant in the real world. Viewers can be curious to see how the SOKO team navigates the space between therapy and danger and whether they can unmask the murderer before the next seminar.