In a chilling reminder of unsolved crimes, the murder case of Emiliya Emilova, a 36-year-old Bulgarian prostitute, is being reopened nearly a decade after her body was discovered in the Vierwaldstättersee in the canton of Nidwalden, Switzerland. The case will be featured on the renowned true crime television show, Aktenzeichen XY ... ungelöst, on March 26, 2025, in hopes of generating new leads and ultimately bringing her killer to justice.
Emiliya Emilova was last seen alive on the evening of September 20, 2014, leaving the Luzern street prostitution area hand in hand with an unidentified man. Her body was discovered the following day, September 21, 2014, in the Harissenbucht of the Vierwaldstättersee, a picturesque lake surrounded by mountains. Investigators quickly determined that her death was the result of foul play.
Despite extensive investigations, which included over 5,000 pages of case files and interviews with around 150 individuals, the case remained unsolved. The Nidwalden criminal police have now formed a special commission to reinvestigate the case, with a renewed focus on modern forensic techniques such as DNA phenotyping and kinship DNA analysis. These methods have only recently been permitted in Switzerland, allowing investigators to analyze DNA to infer traits like eye and hair color, and even familial connections, which could help narrow down potential suspects.
Senad Sakic, the head of the Nidwalden police, expressed hope that the broadcast of Aktenzeichen XY will lead to valuable tips from the public. “The show has an enormous reach. I hope we can receive helpful information to finally answer the question of who killed the mother of two children,” he said. Historically, around 40% of cases featured on the show have been resolved following its airing, a statistic that gives investigators optimism.
The tragic circumstances of Emilova's life are as haunting as her untimely death. Lured to Switzerland by a man named Mehmed, who promised her a job in a café, she instead found herself forced into prostitution. Reports indicate that Mehmed had manipulated her into this life, and her connections to her family were strained, as she had little contact with her two sons, who were living in Bulgaria at the time.
On the night of her disappearance, a witness reported seeing Emilova leave the street with a man, but details about this individual remain elusive. The police are particularly interested in two men who were seen in the area that night. One was described as having a bald head, approximately 1.75 meters tall, muscular, and dressed in dark clothing, while the other had longer dark hair and was around 1.85 meters tall and slim. Both men may hold crucial information regarding Emilova's last moments.
In a bid to encourage public participation, the authorities have offered a reward of 10,000 Swiss francs for any information that leads to a breakthrough in the case. Alexandre Vonwil, the leading prosecutor, emphasized the importance of solving this case, stating, “In recent times, there has been no comparable case in Nidwalden. We want to leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrator to justice and provide closure to the victim's family.”
The case of Emiliya Emilova is not just a local tragedy; it reflects broader issues surrounding the safety and rights of sex workers. The stigma associated with their profession often complicates investigations into crimes against them, as seen in this case where Emilova's life and death have drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by individuals in the sex trade.
As the airing of Aktenzeichen XY approaches, the Nidwalden police hope that the combination of public interest and advanced forensic techniques will finally lead to answers in this long-standing mystery. The tragic fate of Emiliya Emilova serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind crime statistics and the ongoing quest for justice.
For those with information about the case, tips can be directed to the Nidwalden police at +41 41 618 44 66, or to the BKA Wiesbaden in Germany at 0611 / 551 81 40. Every detail, no matter how small, could make a difference in solving this heartbreaking case.
