But no accident?

Farmer drowns in manure pit - police investigate on suspicion of killing

Created: 01/28/2022 15:19

By: Hans Moritz

The body of the 63-year-old farmer was found a week ago at night in this manure pit of a decaying farm in Breitasch.

The entire area is still a restricted area for the police.

She checks if the man was killed.

© Hans Moritz

Completely surprising new situation after the death of a farmer in a manure pit in the municipality of Bockhorn.

There are some indications that it might not have been an accident at all.

Now the officials are also investigating in this direction.

Update, January 28, 3:01 p.m .:

After a farmer in the Erding district was found dead in a cesspool, the criminal police investigated on suspicion of killing. A police spokesman said on Friday. The farmer was initially missing for hours on Wednesday last week in Bockhorn in the Erding district. Finally, emergency services found his tractor, which was still running, and later the man himself in a manure pit about 1.70 meters deep on his property (see original article below). Due to the ongoing investigation, the police did not provide any further information. She is looking for witnesses - including those who can provide information about the farmer and his environment. 

You can read more news from the Erding region here.

By the way: everything from the region is also available in our regular Erding newsletter.

Original article from January 26, 5 p.m.:

Breitasch – On Wednesday evening last week, a 63-year-old farmer was found dead in his manure pit in Breitasch (Bockhorn municipality) (we reported).

At first everything looked like a tragic accident or an acute illness.

But Kripo Erding and the public prosecutor in Landshut are now also investigating whether the man could have been a victim of a crime.

There are at least indications that point in this direction - murder, manslaughter or an argument with fatal consequences.

This was the result of research in our newspaper.

The only thing the police say is: "Influence by third parties cannot be ruled out." The public prosecutor's office is silent.

Farmer drowns in manure pit: did man fall victim to crime?

CID determined

A week after the body was found, the area around the liquid manure pit, a concrete basin without a higher rim, is still cordoned off with warning tape - no entry.

The old Bulldog with the Odel barrel attached is unchanged.

He had triggered the operation a week ago.

Because the engine had been running since the afternoon.

It was only around 10:30 p.m. that the neighbors or a relative thought it strange.

During the inspection, according to the police headquarters in Upper Bavaria North, the man's hat was discovered on the liquid manure.

This is where the first oddity comes in: why did it only become apparent hours later that the tractor was running, but no one was working there?

The Grünbach and Kirchasch fire brigades arrived.

From their circles, our newspaper learned that the salvage of the body had been difficult.

Because the farmer was almost completely submerged in the liquid manure.

So it took some strength to get the dead man out.

That will have left traces on the corpse, which should have been noticed during the autopsy, which took place on Thursday.

The Kripo must now clarify whether these injuries occurred during the rescue or indicate an act of violence.

Erding region: farmer drowns in manure pit - relative overnight with the police

The pit itself has now been covered with silage film.

It is quite possible that the investigators will be looking for clues again here.

In the town, which belongs to the municipality of Bockhorn, there are reports of intensive police work, at night by the permanent criminal service, then by the Erding murder commission.

It is also said that a family member was summoned for questioning the next day and spent the night with the police.

A spokesman for the Presidium explained: "In such cases, it is common for relatives and close people to be questioned." So far, according to reports, there has not been sufficient suspicion that would justify pre-trial detention.

In the environment, however, it is no secret that there has always been a lot of noise in the family – for years.

Police circles expressly do not deny this.

The criminals are now examining the private and professional environment of those involved.

"Due to the ongoing investigations, unfortunately no further information can be given about the procedure at the moment," is the succinct answer of the public prosecutor's office to the catalog of questions submitted by our newspaper.

The Kripo Erding requests information on the case and its participants on Tel. (0 81 22) 96 80.