Homicide Investigation After Body Found Near Planetarium in Prenzlauer Berg
Berlin, August 22, 2026 – A woman’s body has been discovered in a bush in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, just meters from the Zeiss-Großplanetarium. The 4th Homicide Commission of the Berlin Police has concluded its on-site work, and investigators are treating the case as a homicide. The body is believed to have been in the dense undergrowth for an extended period, possibly weeks, before its discovery.
Discovery and Initial Findings
The discovery was made on Friday evening, leading to a significant police presence and the cordoning off of the area around the bush. According to the Berlin public prosecutor’s office, the deceased is a woman of middle age who was clearly murdered. An autopsy confirmed death by external force, though specific details about the cause of death are being withheld as ‘perpetrator knowledge’.
The identity of the woman is now known, but authorities have not released her name out of consideration for her relatives, who are yet to be fully informed. The body was transported away on Friday evening after extensive forensic work.
Body Lay Unnoticed for Weeks
A spokesperson for the public prosecutor’s office stated that the body had been lying in the bushes for a ‘longer period’. While the exact duration remains undisclosed, investigators suggest it could have been weeks rather than days. The reason for the delayed discovery is unclear, despite the location being only a few meters from the heavily frequented Planetarium and Prenzlauer Allee.
The bush, though dense from the outside, is adjacent to a popular area for families, joggers, and dog walkers. Many passersby expressed shock that such a crime could have gone unnoticed for so long. One young man, who walks his dog daily in the area, remarked, ‘I didn’t notice anything,’ adding that his dog also ‘didn’t smell anything.’
Scene of the Discovery and Potential Connections
The bush is situated between the path leading to the Ernst-Thälmann-Park and the S-Bahn tracks. An area within the bush revealed what appeared to be a makeshift camp, with mattresses, clothing, sleeping bags, and rubbish, suggesting it was temporarily used by homeless individuals. However, the site was deserted on Saturday following the police operation.
It remains unclear whether there is any connection between the deceased woman and the homeless encampment. The public prosecutor’s office stated that nothing indicates the victim herself was living on the streets.
Police Operations and Other Incidents
Forensic teams worked late into Friday night securing evidence. The body was removed around 10 PM. During the forensic investigation, a separate traffic accident occurred just 100 meters away, involving a cyclist and a pedestrian who sustained injuries. Officers from the homicide commission provided first aid until paramedics arrived.
The police cordoned off the area with red and white tape for over 100 meters, which was still visible on Saturday. The incident has left many residents and visitors to Prenzlauer Berg in shock, highlighting concerns about safety and the undetected nature of the crime.
Ongoing Investigation
The 4th Homicide Commission continues its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death. Authorities are appealing to the public for any information that might assist in the case.
Further details will be released as the investigation progresses and as deemed appropriate by the authorities.
