Murder on the Sonnenkönig: New information on ZDF broadcast!

Murder on the Sonnenkönig: New information on ZDF broadcast!

Köln-Hahnwald, Deutschland - It is a calm morning in Cologne, but the memories of a shocking murder case keep the city in suspense. On October 9, 2024, Phil Giesen, "Sonnenkönig" and founder of the tanning studio chain "California Sun", was found dead in his villa in the Hahnwald district of Cologne. The 74-year-old became a victim of brutal violence; The cause of death was massive violence, resulting from blows and kicked against his chest. These tragic circumstances have now been processed in the popular ZDF program "File number XY", which was broadcast on June 25, 2025 and promises new information on the case.

giesen, who was known for his luxurious life and drove expensive cars, was found dead by an employee when he had an appointment with him. The police assume several perpetrators who entered the villa via a neighboring property, while Giesen was traveling by car on the evening of October 8, 2024. When he returned around 11 p.m. there was a confrontation with the burglars who captivated him and finally brutally struck. The perpetrators stayed in the house for over three hours. A violently open safe and the theft of cash and valuables, including several thousand two-euro coins, were secured as evidence material.

investigation results and new information

The investigation in the Giesen case remained without any noteworthy progress until "file number XY" was broadcast. Despite the intensive search for traces and the evaluation of surveillance cameras, the police were initially unable to find any clear indications of the perpetrators. In the neighborhood, however, suspicious movements of a dark car, possibly a 1 or 3 Series BMW, were registered. After the broadcast was broadcast, the Cologne police received around 100 clues, of which around 80 to 90 percent referred to the victim's black leather jacket, which was also stolen. The Cologne police are hoping for important indications of clarifying this murder case.

Overall, the sole prints of two different shoes were found at the scene of the crime, which may come from brands such as Kappa, Nike or Fila. A reward of a total of 35,000 euros was suspended for crucial information on the clarification of the crime. The police published this information about their channels to encourage witnesses to report. Interested parties can contact Kripo Cologne on 0221/22 90.

a well-known face in the ZDF show

In an interesting turn, Nick Wilder, a former star of the ZDF series "Dream Ship", plays the role of the murder victim on the show. The 72-year-old Wilder lives in Helena, Montana, and returned to Germany for filming. Its participation in the format should draw attention to the case and possibly lead to new information that can contribute to the investigation of the crime.

The dynamics of the case not only show the headlines that made him in Cologne, but also the ongoing challenges that the police face. According to the current police crime statistics, there are a variety of crimes in Cologne that affect citizens. In view of the severity of Phil Giesen's murder, hope for a quick education is particularly important for many in the city.