In a chilling case that has gripped the small town of Weitefeld in Germany, police are intensifying their search for Alexander Meisner, a 61-year-old man suspected of murdering a family of three. The bodies of the victims—a 44-year-old woman, a 47-year-old man, and their 16-year-old son—were discovered on April 6, 2025, following an emergency call from the mother. The incident has left the community in shock and raised urgent questions about the suspect's whereabouts.
According to reports, the police received a call at 3:45 AM from the mother, who alerted them to a crisis at her home. When officers arrived, they found the three bodies and witnessed a person fleeing through a window. Initial investigations indicated that the family had been murdered, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
As news of the horrific crime spread through Weitefeld, which has a population of about 2,300, the local police established a special unit to manage the investigation. By the following day, the town was cordoned off, and residents were warned to remain vigilant and avoid picking up hitchhikers. A hotline was set up for tips, as the search for the suspect escalated.
On April 7, forensic evidence pointed to Meisner as the primary suspect. Descriptions of him were disseminated publicly: he is 1.74 meters tall, weighs 74 kilograms, has brown hair, blue-gray eyes, and bears scars on his arm and above his eye, along with a tattoo of the name "Katja" in Cyrillic script on his hand. The police urged the public to report any sightings.
By April 8, the police were conducting extensive searches in the surrounding forests and bodies of water, enlisting special forces to assist in locating Meisner. The community was still reeling from the tragedy, and many residents expressed fears about their safety. The local government established a support center for anxious citizens at the Weitefeld elementary school.
Despite the police's efforts, the investigation faced challenges. On April 9, it was revealed that Meisner had a previous conviction for attempted manslaughter of his ex-wife. The motive for the recent murders remained unclear, and as the week progressed, the police received dozens of tips but found none that led to significant breakthroughs.
On April 10, autopsy results confirmed that the couple had died from multiple stab wounds and gunshot injuries, while their son had been shot. The community mourned the loss during a memorial service attended by approximately 300 people at the Martin Luther Church on April 9.
As the search continued, the police established a special commission of 100 officers and maintained a constant presence in Weitefeld. They warned that Meisner could be dangerous and possibly armed. On April 16, the case was featured on the ZDF program "Aktenzeichen XY... ungelöst," which led to an influx of tips; more than 90 were received during the broadcast alone.
Despite these efforts, Meisner remained elusive. Investigators discovered that he had applied for a new passport shortly before the murders, which he never collected. This raised suspicions that he might have been planning to flee the country. The public prosecutor's office offered a reward of 10,000 euros for information leading to his capture.
In the days following the broadcast, police conducted another large-scale search operation involving around 1,000 officers from across Germany. However, these efforts yielded no results. On April 19, investigators returned to Elkenroth, where Meisner had lived, to speak with neighbors in hopes of uncovering new leads.
As the investigation dragged on, the community remained on edge. By April 20, the police had searched a five-hectare area around Weitefeld, including nearby waters, looking for any signs of Meisner. Speculation grew that he might be injured, as evidence at the crime scene suggested he could have sustained wounds during the incident.
On April 26, police warned the public against spreading false information about the case, particularly on social media. A rumor about Meisner being sighted near Bad Breisig was dismissed as unfounded. The police emphasized the importance of relying on verified information to aid the investigation.
As of May 5, over 1,700 tips had been received by law enforcement, but the search for Meisner continued to be fruitless. The local community remains haunted by the brutal murders and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the suspect's fate. Residents are still grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy, as fears linger about the potential return of the alleged murderer.
In an interview, the lead prosecutor, Mario Mannweiler, addressed public concerns regarding the initial police response at the crime scene. He explained that the chaotic circumstances, including the unknown number of potential assailants and the unclear condition of the victims, made immediate pursuit of the fleeing suspect impractical. "In such situations, the safety of our officers and the well-being of the victims must come first," he stated.
The community of Weitefeld continues to seek closure as they navigate the aftermath of this horrific event. As police efforts remain ongoing, many are left wondering when—and if—justice will be served.
