In a startling turn of events, two recently released photographs are causing ripples in the mysterious case of Karl-Erivan Haub, the German billionaire who has been missing since April 7, 2018. The photographs, published by the magazine Manager, are alleged to show Haub in Moscow, raising further questions regarding the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and the subsequent declaration of his death in 2021.
According to the Manager, the first image was taken on February 19, 2021, while the second followed shortly after, on February 20, 2021, at approximately 6:43 p.m. The locations of these images, both around 3,000 kilometers from his last known whereabouts, are said to have a striking resemblance to Haub, sparking speculation about whether he is, in fact, alive.
The release of these images comes amid an ongoing investigation against Christian Haub, his brother and the current CEO of Tengelmann, for alleged false statements made under oath. This inquiry, which began in April 2024, relates to declarations made by Christian when he insisted that he had no knowledge of his brother's well-being.
Expert opinions on the photos have varied, with two reports generated by Interfor, a security company, supporting their authenticity. One report claims a 99 percent certainty that the man depicted is indeed Karl-Erivan Haub, while a second assessment suggests an 85 percent accuracy rate.
The first visible ray of hope in the ongoing investigation may be attributed to a professor from the University of British Columbia, who led the analysis that determined the images are accurate representations of Haub. These expert findings have reignited public and media interest in the matter, with many wondering whether Haub could have staged his disappearance.
While the images have given new impetus to inquiries into his fate, they are also putting pressure on Christian. In 2021, he had certified under oath that he possessed no verifiable evidence to suggest that his brother was alive. Now, with the emergence of photographic evidence suggesting the contrary, the case has intensified. As RTL reported, Christian may have even commissioned these photos, paying over a million euros for them.
Interviewed previously, Liv von Boetticher, an investigative journalist who has reported extensively on the case, stated: “There were trails leading to Russia almost immediately after his disappearance.” Reports from that time included allegations of a connection between Karl-Erivan Haub and a suspected lover who had ties to the Russian FSB, further deepening the intrigue.
Despite these developments, the public prosecutor's office in Cologne has expressed that they currently see no reason to retract the 2021 declaration of death. The investigation against Christian Haub faces legal hurdles and uncertainties. Should it progress, he might confront up to three years in prison if the charges of false testimony under oath are substantiated.
The tense dynamic within the family amidst the active investigation is being closely followed, as ongoing legal battles loom. With the images prompting fresh scrutiny, the narrative surrounding Karl-Erivan Haub’s fate continues to evolve.
As people eagerly digest every detail, Christian maintains his position that the individual portrayed in the Moscow photographs is not his brother. His defense attorney, Mark Binz, has expressed skepticism about the value of the evidence due to the lack of raw data and claims that all relevant digital content may have been erased at the voluntary request of the family two years ago. This has certainly left many questions hanging.
The resurfacing of the photographs looks poised to keep the public captivated as new findings in the case come to light. As investigations unfold, the family, particularly Christian Haub, is under increasing scrutiny.
Whether these new developments will catalyze a fuller understanding of Karl-Erivan Haub’s fate or point to something far more complex remains to be seen, but as of today, the truth teeters on the horizon, just out of reach.
