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%).