The unsolved case of Baby Frieda, found dead nearly 26 years ago, is set to be revisited on January 22, 2025, during the long-running ZDF program "Aktenzeichen XY... ungelöst". This tragic story began on April 28, 1999, when police were alerted to the discovery of the lifeless infant at the side of the A67 highway, near Einhausen, Germany.
On the morning of the 28th, an anonymous caller contacted the police to report the grim find. "Das muss längere Zeit in der Tüte… ich wollt’s halt nur anzeigen," stated the caller, refusing to disclose his name. His information led the authorities to the parking area of the "Jägersburger Wald." They found the baby, who would later be named Frieda, wrapped tightly in plastic bags and dressed in light clothing, including a white-yellow striped onesie and a light hat. The infant, believed to be just two days old, likely died from asphyxiation.
The authorities quickly launched murder investigations, searching for leads and possible witnesses. A notable piece of evidence emerged from one of the plastic bags – a receipt from Karstadt, dated January 1999, for items purchased in Offenburg, which could potentially help track down those involved.
Witnesses reported seeing a young woman acting strangely near the Lorsch rest area shortly before Frieda's body was discovered. Statements indicated she seemed out of place, raising suspicions about her possible connection to the infant. The woman was attempting to travel toward Kaiserslautern but her trail went cold at the Ludwigshafen station, leaving investigators frustrated with unanswered questions.
The authorities are particularly interested in the identity of the anonymous caller, believed to have made the call from a phone booth near the Lorsch marketplace. The measures to engage the public include airing the original call during the upcoming program, which may help identify the voice or generate new leads.
With the relentless passage of time, hopes for closure remain alive, especially as the investigative team from the Cold Case Unit of the Südhessen Police urges anyone with information about the case to step forward. They are particularly interested in observations made at the rest area or related locations from the night of April 27 to the morning of April 28, 1999.
For those who may recall anything unusual during this time, authorities are asking them to contact the public hotline during the airing of "Aktenzeichen XY... ungelöst". With the broadcast scheduled, police are hopeful the renewed publicity might yield the much-needed information to solve this tragic case.
Five key questions remain as the authorities solicit public input: Who remembers noticing the voice of the anonymous caller during the televised appeal? Anyone with suspicious observations around the rest area, parking lot, or Ludwigshafen station during those hours is encouraged to come forward. There may also be individuals who are aware of pregnancy or childbirth events involving women from the areas surrounding Kaiserslautern, Ludwigshafen, Offenburg, or the Bergstraße district who later appeared without children.
Finally, the police implore anyone who recognizes the clothing or blanket found with Frieda to make contact. While the investigation draws connections to local anomalies from decades past, the hope remains firm—the community's involvement is key to unearthing the truth about Baby Frieda's fate.