Private investigator on the search: Can he find the missing Nicos and Pauls?

Private investigator on the search: Can he find the missing Nicos and Pauls?

Nico Mertens, a 22-year-old young man from Groß Plasten, has been missing for some time. On September 13th, 2025, new hopes arise because Markus Rahmsdorf from Neubrandenburg, a committed volunteer searcher for missing persons, became aware of the case. Rahmsdorf has worked intensively on various missing person cases in recent years and believes that the police may have given up too quickly in Nicole's case. The file is not closed, but the private investigator uses his free time to search for clues himself. He receives support from social media and regional media to spread information. “The relatives need all the help they can get,” says Rahmsdorf and does everything he can to ensure that Nico is found. He takes on this work without any financial compensation because helping is a personal concern for him. Police Commissioner Johanna Liebich from the Neubrandenburg Police Department adds that private investigations can be helpful, but they should always be in connection with the official investigation.

What is behind this dedicated work? Markus Rahmsdorf not only has “helper syndrome”, but also a serious personal background. He has dealt with right-wing extremist groups in the past and is now taking a different path: that of preventing right-wing extremism. He also plans to join the Bundeswehr, but had to put this ambition on hold for the time being due to personal circumstances.

The Paul Burdach case

Another case that particularly concerns Rahmsdorf is that of 24-year-old Paul Burdach, who disappeared from Rathenow on April 17, 2024. To shed light on the matter, Rahmsdorf has offered a reward of 500 euros for information leading to Paul's discovery. This award was officially confirmed by the Potsdam public prosecutor's office. Interestingly, the Burdach family had already offered a reward of 2,000 euros in May 2024, but this did not provide the expected clue. Rahmsdorf, who became aware of Paul's case through a television program, is convinced that there may be a crime involved because the disappearance is not consistent with Paul's character. “It is important to avoid speculation and not to give your relatives false hopes,” explains Rahmsdorf.

His approach is methodical. He researches both on social media and in direct contact with those around the missing people. Nevertheless, in the Burdach case, cooperation with divers and sniffer dog teams did not come about, which is in the nature of the matter. “Every case is special,” says Rahmsdorf. Information about Paul Burdach can be given directly to the Potsdam police homicide squad.

Missing persons cases in Germany

The situation in Germany is alarming. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), there were around 9,420 registered missing person cases on January 1, 2025. 200 to 300 new cases are added every day. While more than 80% of these cases are resolved within a month, a small percentage of about 3% remain unresolved for over a year. What is particularly frightening is the number of unaccompanied minor refugees who often disappear from shelters, which poses major challenges for the police. The clearance rate here is around 79%.

For Rahmsdorf and his life's work, it is important to raise awareness of these difficult issues. He not only fights to find individual missing people, but also has the big picture in mind. “We must do everything we can to help more people and reduce the number of unreported cases of missing people,” he says resolutely.

Any help is welcome for anyone who is interested and has information or tips about the cases of Nico Mertens or Paul Burdach. Contacting the police is the right way to provide potentially crucial information that can help clarify the fate of these young people.