Germany Germany - Gerard Pelzer, 19, Kaster, 19 Jun 1980

[michiel020]

 

[michiel020]

 

[michiel020]

 

[TheRockingRev]

I wonder if the military thought he had compromised their facility by leaking information.

This is exactly what I would think. Paranoia was running high in the Cold War and I can well imagine that if he was spying/thought to be spying it would be the best thing to make him 'disappear'

 

[branmuffin]

In 40 solved missing persons cases I’ve studied, it often turns out that a breakthrough lies in properly placing the context of specific details. Unfortunately, I do not have access to the official case file, and my knowledge is based on publicly available information found online about Gerard Pelzer. A few elements stand out to me:

1. Scars from third-degree burns on the inner sides of both legs, and a cigarette burn scar on his forearm. How did these injuries end up on his body? Who inflicted them? In what context can these wounds be understood?
2. A genetic abnormality affecting one of his ears. What kind of abnormality did Gerard Pelzer have? Was he bullied because of it? What impact did this have on his life?
3. Slim build and short stature (169 cm at age 16). Did this play a role in his disappearance? If so, how? Did a possible perpetrator take advantage of this, and why?
4. Soldier Gerard Pelzer was found unconscious by the roadside by two German civilians and taken to the infirmary on base. Was he out alone, and what does that say about him? Did he do this often? Why was he alone? Where had he been? In what context can this incident be placed?
5. This incident was never officially reported by military authorities. It’s said that several disturbing findings were made. What were these findings, and why were they not disclosed? In what context can they be understood? What do they reveal about Gerard Pelzer? Is there a connection to his disappearance?
6. A gift for his mother and his identity card were still among his personal belongings. What context can be given to this detail?
7. It remains unclear when and where Gerard Pelzer went missing, and there was an apparently indifferent response from 'friends'. What does this say about Gerard Pelzer and his social circle? What might he have been doing outside the barracks?
8. Gerard Pelzer grew up in a complex and vulnerable environment. What behaviors might he have exhibited that could have influenced his disappearance?
9. It was a cool, cloudy, and wet day in Kaster (close to Roermond), with limited sunshine and light rain showers scattered throughout the day. The minimum temperature was 4°C and the maximum 17°C. A total of 8.4 mm of rain fell over 6.2 hours. Could the weather during the night of May 30 to 31, 1980, have influenced Gerard Pelzer’s disappearance? If so, how?
10. According to the official report (which I was unable to locate online), only his civilian outfit and army boots were missing from his gear. If he left wearing this clothing, what does that suggest about his intentions? What alternative clothing did he have access to? What context can be given to his choice of this specific outfit—especially the army boots?
11. Gerard Pelzer smoked. Was he addicted to smoking? Did he still have cigarettes that evening? Where could you buy them (in the evening/night)?

At one point in time I wondered if he met up with a women called a swallow, women who were trained by Russian intelligence to flirt and create relationships with enemies to access critical information. I don't know if I believe that anymore.

I have a feeling that his army mates thought he was a sissy, a mama's boy and possibly gay. I also think the scalding injuries happened when he was tied to a chair and that the cigarette burns were also done then. All those guys know exactly what happened to this kid. And so did the army brass. What other reason would there be to ship every single one of them to other bases. It's a coverup.

 

[michiel020]

At one point in time I wondered if he met up with a women called a swallow, women who were trained by Russian intelligence to flirt and create relationships with enemies to access critical information. I don't know if I believe that anymore.

I have a feeling that his army mates thought he was a sissy, a mama's boy and possibly gay. I also think the scalding injuries happened when he was tied to a chair and that the cigarette burns were also done then. All those guys know exactly what happened to this kid. And so did the army brass. What other reason would there be to ship every single one of them to other bases. It's a coverup.

To shed light on the context of the puzzle pieces mentioned, the first circle around Gerard Pelzen would need to be explored more thoroughly. A few names appear in Gerard’s letters: Jack, Nicole, and Michel. But there are other potentially insightful individuals who could speak to this—such as Gerard Pelzen’s supervisor and the café regulars where Gerard used to go.

Unfortunately, it’s been a long time, but nothing is impossible. What I’m hoping is that there are people out there who have a suspicion about what happened and who was involved, and that they’ll eventually speak up. These individuals are likely over the age of 70–75, but it’s still possible. Of course, they could come forward anonymously, but in my research into 40 solved missing persons cases involving criminal acts, that almost never happens (3%).

 

[ZaZara]

IMO various items have disappeared from the website of Bureau Van Meerbeeck. The most recent report about Gerard Pelzer's disappearance that I can find is a lengthy press report about the case that repeats in detail most of the info we already know.

There are also new developments: Students from the Saxion Hogeschool in Twente have tried to obtain Gerard's DNA and a specialist unit of Dutch LE will take up his case.

A glimmer of hope thanks to Twente cold case students

May 2024, Saxion Hogeschool, Twente, the Netherlands

Six students sit around a square table behind their laptops. The clock above the doorframe ticks away the silence. Today, the lab results may finally arrive.
These results must come from a so-called DNA sequencing machine, an extremely expensive white device that resembles a photocopier. It can sometimes compile a unique DNA profile from tiny DNA fragments, secured from sweat, for example. Using cotton swabs, they hope to have conjured up DNA fragments from a glove. A glove that belonged to a man who has been missing for four decades.
Bling! they all have an email, which they open. Countless letter codes appear. Now everyone is looking at Jarne Essink. The lab expert is the only one of them who can read this. ‘No way...,’ he exclaims joyfully. ‘The analysis does indeed show a male DNA profile.’
They have succeeded. Half a century after his disappearance, the impossible has been found on soldier Pelzer's glove: DNA.


Previously, November 2024

November 2024

[ After a meeting with Koen Wertelaers at Bureau Van Meerbeeck ] The six students are back in Twente. They are conducting follow-up research within the scenarios [ established duting that meeting.] They quickly realise that one thing could really help: DNA!
There are international “DNA banks” where you can track down people worldwide by entering their DNA profile. If Gerard has a new life within the “flight scenario”, his new identity may be found in this way. For example, if he inadvertently entered his DNA into such a bank or ended up in police DNA banks; in some countries, DNA is taken from suspects for even the smallest offences.
Even within the “suicide scenario” and the “accident scenario”, DNA banks offer opportunities. Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands together have 2,200 unidentified dead persons. These are deceased persons who were buried without their identity being known. Some of their DNA and physical characteristics still exist above ground. Can Gerard be linked to one of these deceased persons?

Janine Zandberg: ‘The bottom line is that we need Gerard's unique DNA, which we don't have.’ However, Fabienne Pelzer's DNA is available, which could match Gerard's profile in DNA databases.
Renowned forensic pathologist Frank van de Goot hears about the case and advises that searching with the missing person's unique DNA is much more promising and ‘always better.’
Relatively many DNA databases exclude searches for so-called “kinship DNA” for ethical reasons. Searches using Fabienne's DNA are then futile. Only if Gerard's unique DNA is entered and matches a profile will there be a result.

Daniek van Rijswijk: ‘Then it came to us... It would be quite incredible, but could we still secure Gerard's “skin DNA” from that time from the glove?’
The glove is sent to Twente, protected in foil. Using a plastic glove and long cotton swabs, Zandberg rubs the inside of the fingertips. The swabs are placed in test tubes containing liquid, which are then put into a PCR machine that resembles a white deep fryer. This machine multiplies cells in a chain reaction, creating “more DNA” and allowing the DNA sequencer to compile a DNA profile.

April 2025

Student Jarne Essink: ‘'The glove provided the DNA. It is Y-chromosome DNA and belongs to a man. You think: Gerard. But we have to remain cautious. In theory, it could belong to another man, who may have borrowed the glove.''
They want to continue, but their adventure ends, the minor stops and the budget is exhausted. The DNA tests they carried out cost thousands of euros. Student Liesanne Bos: ‘But we are leaving behind some advice.’ The Netherlands Forensic Institute, which conducts DNA testing for police teams, could include this DNA in full sibling DNA tests with Fabienne Pelzer. Essink: ‘If it matches, the DNA must be Gerard's.’

The advice is for the National Investigations and Special Operations (NIS) in Woerden, which in early 2025 contacts Wertelaers to tell him that they are going to take on the “Gerard Pelzer cold case”.
Wertelaers: ‘At least we have achieved that as the Twente-Flemish alliance.’


BBM

National Investigations and Special Operations (NIS) = Eenheid Landelijke Opsporing en Interventies (LO), established January 1, 2024.

​

 

[ZaZara]

Perhaps I am missing the point. But I don't get why this is taking so long.

These students, Bureau Van Meerbeeck, Fabienne Pelzer, they all are civilians. They do not face the legal limitations that bind LE in most of Europe. Thery should be able to upload both Fabienne's DNA and 'Glove' DNA to GEDMatch, Ancestry and the like. If there is a match, and there probably will be, fine. If not, fine too. Perhaps @othram can help.

But why the wait for bureaucrats like the National Investigations and Special Operations / Eenheid Landelijke Opsporing en Interventies ?