Abduction and murder of Ylenia Lenhard explained

Date:31 July 2007
Place:Appenzell, Switzerland (abduction)
Oberbüren, Switzerland (murder)
Suspects:Urs Hans von Aesch
Casualties1:2 dead (victim and suspect)
Casualties2:1 injured (potential witness)

Ylenia Lenhard (18 November 2001 – 31 July 2007) was a five-year-old girl from Appenzell, Switzerland who was abducted while riding her bike to the local pool on 31 July 2007. Her body was found more than a month later in Bürerwald, a wooded area outside of Oberbüren, approximately 30km (20miles) away from Appenzell. The suspect was identified by DNA as Urs Hans von Aesch (11 November 1940 – 31 July 2007), a Swiss man living in Benimantell, Spain. He was found dead from suicide by firearm the day after the abduction. No prior connection was found between the Lenhard family and von Aesch.

The case was followed closely by the public, who reported more than 1,400 tips, many of them false or misleading. The local newspaper Blick was criticised in particular for its coverage of the case, which involved a number of published retractions and corrections from the St. Gallen police. Blick speculated that the case was linked to the disappearance of Madeleine McCann (3 May 2007) due to the proximity in timing, the girls' similar appearances, and reports of a van matching that of von Aesch's in Algarve near Praia da Luz around McCann's disappearance, though no legitimate connection has been made.

Background

Ylenia Lenhard

Ylenia Gabriela Alisha Gioia Nikita Lenhard was born on 18 November 2001 to Charlotte Lenhard. She was named after the daughter of singers Al Bano and Romina Power, who disappeared in 1994 and has not been found.[1] Ylenia's mother, a nurse, met midwife Gabriela Allenspach, another unmarried woman who wanted to start a family. They decided to move in and raise their children together.[1] Allenspach's two children were born about two and three years before Ylenia. The two women separated following Ylenia's death but Charlotte maintained custody of the children after Allenspach was placed in a psychiatric hospital in 2010. Allenspach died by suicide in 2014.[1] [2]

Urs Hans von Aesch

Urs Hans von Aesch completed a pen-making apprenticeship in 1959 and subsequently started a business selling pens using loans from his family. He began to neglect his business and, in an attempt to bring in money, von Aesch sent an anonymous ransom note to a Swiss coal tycoon threatening to kidnap his son. The businessman hired a private investigator and involved the police, and von Aesch was brought in front of the Zurich High Court in 1961 and sentenced to 15 months in jail. The court psychiatrist concluded that he was a "poorly developed, infantile psychopath."[3] [4] [5] Von Aesch moved to Iselisberg in Thurgau, Switzerland with his wife around 1976. The couple cared for two girls in the 1980s but had no children of their own. They moved to the Spanish town Benimantell in 1990. In the weeks leading up to the abduction, von Aesch traveled back to Switzerland by bus, reportedly looking to rent or buy a flat or house.[6] [7]

Disappearance

On 31 July 2007, five-year-old Ylenia Lenhard left home on her bike to pick up shampoo she had forgotten at the public pool the day before.[8] She was last seen leaving the indoor pool. Her mother reported her missing at 11:57am. Around 1:00pm, an unnamed man who had been napping in the Bürerwald forest near Oberbüren was reportedly approached and shot in the chest with a pistol without warning. The man was able to get away and a passing motorist took him to the hospital.[9] The shooter, Urs Hans von Aesch, killed himself by shooting himself in the head with a handgun[10] [11] [12] [9] after leaving the pistol along the road. Von Aesch's abandoned Renault Trafic panel van was found later that evening about 30km (20miles) away from Appenzell with Lenhard's Brother Bear backpack, which contained her clothes, and her helmet found nearby. Her Razor scooter was then found in the forest[7] [12] and von Aesch's body was found the next morning.[5] [13]

St. Gallen police received more than 1,400 tips, many of them based on speculation and ultimately false.[14] They did, however, learn that a white van like von Aesch's was seen outside the public pool prior to Lenhard's disappearance.[15] [16] [17] By 6 August, the police had verified the DNA of both Lenhard and von Aesch's fingerprints on Lenhard's belongings and inside the van.[18] The search for Lenhard included at least 50 St. Gallen police officers, 30 local firefighters, dog handlers, divers, and an army helicopter, in addition to citizens.[19] [20]

Police offered a CHF 21,500 (or €13,000) reward, financed by private funds, for information leading to Lenhard's location. Her body was eventually found in Bürerwald on 17 September, six weeks after her abduction, by Simon Kuhn, a local computer scientist.[21] [16] [22] She was identified by her jewelry.[23] The forest had been searched several times in the preceding weeks, but nothing was found.[15] Her body had been dug up by wild animals[16] from the 1feet by 2feet hole she was buried in. While police initially suspected she was the victim of a rape-murder, they later confirmed that there was no evidence of rape and that her body showed no signs of physical harm.[24] [15] The exact circumstances leading to her death were unclear due to the body's decomposition but her cause of death was ultimately ruled as toluol poisoning.[15]

Aftermath

Swiss citizens demanded the introduction of an alert that could be issued immediately after a child is reported missing. The open letter collected 100 signatures, including from Stéphane Lambiel, Pirmin Zurbriggen, and Ernesto Bertarelli. This system was not put into place until 2010 following the 2009 murder of Lucie Trezzini, a 16-year-old au pair. Announcements of abductions are now broadcast on trains, in public transport stations, on motorway display boards, and by text.[15] [16] A sex offender database was also established by the intercantonal police organisation Soko Rebecca.[25] In October 2007, Lenhard's mother founded the Ylenia Foundation, which in its first ten years had raised money for projects in the Philippines to aid disadvantaged families. This included rebuilding damaged schools and providing necessary school supplies.[8] [24] [26]

Blick, a local newspaper, was accused of "deliberately misinforming the public" by the St. Gallen public prosecutor's office after the publication had to issue several retractions and corrections. Lenhard's family also criticised them for publishing speculation rather than fact, which had given them false hope that additional leads had been found.[15] [27] For years after the case was closed, media, including Blick, speculated that von Aesch had an accomplice, as many believed he would not have been able to carry out the abduction and murder on his own. St. Gallen police refused to reopen the case since no DNA from a third person was found on the van, gun, or any of Lenhard's items, and no credible leads had been reported.[28] [29]

Suspected connections to other murders

Circumstantial evidence created suspicion that von Aesch may have been tied to 10 missing children during his 14 years living in Iselisberg, particularly as the abductions reportedly stopped after he and his wife moved to Spain. He was not charged in any of these disappearances.[30] [6] [13]

Blick published speculation about whether von Aesch was involved in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, alleging that he had stayed in Algarve near Praia da Luz, where the family was staying, around the time of her disappearance.[31] [13] A white van with Spanish number plates matching the description of von Aesch's was reportedly parked for several days in front of the McCanns' apartment and was not seen again after McCann disappeared. As they had before, the St. Gallen police dismissed Blick's claims, which had made it into English-language news and was being attributed to their office. They said that active investigations by their office about von Aesch in Portugal was "in no way true and [was] completely wrong."[32] In 2013, Scotland Yard officers travelled to St. Gallen to investigate possible links between the two crimes and were told by local police that no connection had been made between the two cases.[33] [34]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: SCHICKSALSSCHLAG: «Wir hatten viel zu wenig Zeit». BLOW OF FATE: "We had far too little time". 2017-07-30. Schmid-Egert. Maya. Tagblatt. 2023-05-25. de.
  2. Web site: "Ylenia war ein Sonnenschein". "Ylenia was sunshine". Bauer. David. 2007-12-23. SonntagsZeitung. davidbauer.ch. 2023-06-08.
  3. Web site: Oberbüren SG, Appenzell AI: Von Aesch schon mit 20 wegen versuchter Erpressung verurteilt - Gericht 1961: "ein Psychopath". Oberbüren SG, Appenzell AI: Von Aesch sentenced at the age of 20 for attempted extortion - court 1961: "a psychopath". 2007-08-07. Polizei Bericht. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080329214853/http://polizeibericht.ch/ger_details_3099/Oberbueren_SG_Appenzell_AI_Von_Aesch_schon_mit_20_wegen_versuchter_Erpressung_verurteilt_-_Gericht_1961_ein_Psychopath.html. 2008-03-29. de.
  4. Web site: Es geschah am helllichten Tag. It happened in broad daylight. Hardegger. Angelika. 2017-07-31. Neue Zürcher Zeitung. 2023-05-25. de.
  5. Web site: Von Aesch plante schon mal Kindsentführung. Von Aesch has already planned child abduction. 2007-08-06. Polizei News. 2023-05-25. de.
  6. Web site: Das Haus des Grauens. The house of horror. Spiegel. Freiburg. Friederike. 2007-08-13. 2023-05-24. de.
  7. Web site: Appenzell AI / Oberbüren SG: Vermißte Ylenia Lenhard - die Kapo AI bittet Bevölkerung dringend um Hinweise / La population demande à Police cantonale Appenzell-Rhodes-Intérieures d'urgence des indications. Appenzell AI / Oberbüren SG: Missing Ylenia Lenhard - the Kapo AI urgently asks the population for information / La population demande à Police cantonale Appenzell-Rhodes-Intérieures d'urgence des indications. 2007-08-03. Polizei Bericht. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071016141855/http://polizeibericht.ch/ger_details_3012/Appenzell_AI__Oberbueren_SG_Vermisste_Ylenia_Lenhard_-_die_Kapo_AI_bittet_Bevoelkerung_dringend_um_Hinweise__La_population_demande_%E0_Police_cantonale_Appenzell-Rhodes-Int%E9rieures_durgence_des_indications.html. 2007-10-16. de.
  8. Web site: "Ylenia soll nicht in Vergessenheit geraten". "Ylenia should not be forgotten". Inauen. Philip. 2017-03-08. Swiss Radio and Television. 2023-05-24. de.
  9. Web site: Oberbüren SG: Mann angeschossen - weißer Kastenwagen mit deutschen Kennzeichen gesucht - Kapo-Großfahdung erfolglos. Oberbüren SG: Man shot - wanted white van with German license plate - Kapo large-scale manhunt unsuccessful. 2007-07-31. Polizei Bericht. 2023-05-25. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071016115521/http://polizeibericht.ch/ger_details_2971/Oberbueren_SG_Mann_angeschossen_-_weisser_Kastenwagen_mit_deutschen_Kennzeichen_gesucht_-_Kapo-Grossfahdung_erfolglos.html. 2007-10-16. de.
  10. Web site: Maddie: Sorting out facts from rumours. 2007-08-09. Herbert. Ian. NZ Herald. 2023-05-24.
  11. News: Man wounded - a white van with German mark sought - unsuccessfully. 2007-07-31. Google translated.
  12. News: Oberbüren, Billwilerwald SG: Gesuchtes Auto gefunden; Fahrer des Pw. mit ausländischen Kontrollschildern beging Selbstmord . de . Sought car found, driver of the Pw. with foreign control signs/license plates committed suicide. August 1, 2007. HTML . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071016115526/http://www.polizeibericht.ch/ger_details_2988/Oberbueren_Billwilerwald_SG_Gesuchtes_Auto_gefunden_Fahrer_des_Pw_mit_auslaendischen_Kontrollschildern_beging_Selbstmord.html . 2007-10-16.
  13. Web site: Missing Swiss girl Ylenia found dead: police. 2007-09-15. Reuters. 2023-05-25.
  14. Web site: Ylenia: Leichenfund im Hartmannswald. Ylenia: body found in Hartmannswald. 2007-09-15. Polizei News. 2023-05-25.
  15. Web site: Der Fall Ylenia und seine Folgen. The Ylenia case and its consequences. 2017-08-03. Swiss Radio and Television. 2023-05-24. de.
  16. News: Body of missing girl believed found. . 2007-09-15 . 2007-09-15 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120515212655/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/Home/Archive/Body_of_missing_girl_believed_found.html?cid=6148156. 2012-05-15.
  17. Web site: "Wo ist der Vater von Ylenia?". "Where is Ylenia's father?". 2007-08-02. Polizei News. 2023-05-25.
  18. News: St. Gallen, Oberbüren SG, Appenzell AI: Spuren des Auslandsschweizers Von Aesch am Rucksack, Helm und dem Kickbrett von Ylenia. St. Gallen, Oberbüren SG, Appenzell AI: Traces of the Swiss Abroad Von Aesch on Ylenia's backpack, helmet and kickboard. 2007-08-06 . 2007-09-25. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071016115626/https://www.polizeibericht.ch/ger_details_3063/St_Gallen_Oberbueren_SG_Appenzell_AI_Spuren_des_Auslandsschweizers_Von_Aesch_am_Rucksack_Helm_und_dem_Kickbrett_von_Ylenia.html. 2007-10-16. de.
  19. Web site: Oberbüren SG / St. Gallen: Kapo SG zum Vermißtfall Ylenia Lenhard - 50 Personen der Kapo SG, 30 Feuerwehrangehörige, mehrere Hundeführer und ein Hubschrauber im Kanton SG im Einsatz. Oberbüren SG / St. Gallen: Kapo SG on the missing Ylenia Lenhard - 50 people from the Kapo SG, 30 firefighters, several dog handlers and a helicopter in the canton of SG on duty. 2007-08-04. Polizei Bericht. 2023-05-25. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071016115606/http://polizeibericht.ch/ger_details_3039/Oberbueren_SG__St_Gallen_Kapo_SG_zum_Vermisstfall_Ylenia_Lenhard_-_50_Personen_der_Kapo_SG_30_Feuerwehrangehoerige_mehrere_Hundefuehrer_und_ein_Hubschrauber_im_Kanton_SG_im_Einsatz.html. 2007-10-16. de.
  20. Web site: Appenzell, Oberbüren, Billwil, Bürerwald AI: Vom vermißten 5 ½-jährigen Mädchen trotz Großaufgebot dreier Kapos (AI, AR, SG) keine Spur - Kapos suchen jetzt weißen Wagen von Selbstmörder. Appenzell, Oberbüren, Billwil, Bürerwald AI: There is no sign of the missing 5½-year-old girl despite a large number of three kapos (AI, AR, SG) - kapos are now looking for a white car from a suicide. 2007-08-02. Polizei Bericht. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071016115541/http://polizeibericht.ch/ger_details_3006/Appenzell_Oberbueren_Billwil_Buererwald_AI_Vom_vermissten_5_%BD-jaehrigen_Maedchen_trotz_Grossaufgebot_dreier_Kapos_(AI_AR_SG)_keine_Spur_-_Kapos_suchen_jetzt_weissen_Wagen_von_Selbstmoerder.html. 2007-10-16. de.
  21. Web site: TV-Sommerserie zeigt: «Ylenias Vermächtnis». TV summer series shows: "Ylenia's legacy". 2012-08-08. BZ Basel. 2023-06-08.
  22. Web site: Body of missing Swiss girl found. 2007-09-17. Sydney Morning Herald. 2023-05-24.
  23. Web site: Hallan en un bosque el cadáver de Ylenia, la niña suiza desaparecida en julio. The body of Ylenia, the Swiss girl who disappeared in July, is found in a forest. 2007-09-15. El Mundo. 2023-05-24. es.
  24. Web site: Dix ans après la disparition de sa fille, la mère d'Ylenia se confie sans haine. Ten years after the disappearance of her daughter, Ylenia's mother confides without hatred. 2017-07-28. RFJ. 2023-05-25. fr.
  25. Web site: «Soko Rebecca» will Sexualstraftäter-Datei. "Soko Rebecca" wants to file sex offenders. 2007-08-14. Egger. Marius. 20 Minutet. 2023-06-08.
  26. Web site: "Es ist schön zu sehen, was entstehen kann". "It's nice to see what can happen". 2022-07-30. Appenzell 24. 2023-05-25. de.
  27. Web site: St. Gallen: Staatsanwaltschaft St. Gallen richtet im Fall Ylenia schwere Vorwürfe an die Boulevardzeitung Blick (Ringier-Verlag). St. Gallen: The St. Gallen public prosecutor’s office makes serious allegations against the tabloid Blick (Ringier-Verlag) in the Ylenia case. 2009-09-07. Polizei Schweiz. 2023-05-25. de.
  28. Web site: «Keine einzige Spur»: Weshalb die Staatsanwaltschaft den Mordfall Ylenia nicht neu aufrollt. "Not a single trace": why the public prosecutor's office does not reopen the Ylenia murder case. 2019-07-03. TagBlatt. 2023-05-25. de.
  29. Web site: Fall Ylenia Lenhard. Case of Ylenia Lenhard. 2007-11-08. Polizei Bericht. 2023-05-25. de.
  30. Web site: Das Haus des Grauens. The house of horrors. Freiburg. Frederike. 2007-08-13. Spiegel Panorama. 2023-06-08.
  31. Web site: Obernbüren SG, Appenzell AI: Fall Ylenia Lenhard - Spekulationen um Zusammenhang mit Fall Maddie - Soko Rebecca aus Bern und Interpol eingeschaltet. Obernbüren SG, Appenzell AI: Ylenia Lenhard case - speculation about a connection with the Maddie case - Soko Rebecca from Bern and Interpol turned on. 2007-09-27. Polizei Bericht. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20071016115601/http://polizeibericht.ch/ger_details_3038/Obernbueren_SG_Appenzell_AI_Fall_Ylenia_Lenhard_-_Spekulationen_um_Zusammenhang_mit_Fall_Maddie_-_Soko_Rebecca_aus_Bern_und_Interpol_eingeschaltet.html. 2007-10-16. de.
  32. Web site: St. Gallen: Vermißte Ylenia Lenhard - Kapo: Mutmaßungen der Boulevardzeitung Blick treffen nicht zu. St. Gallen: Missing Ylenia Lenhard - Kapo: assumptions of the tabloid Blick do not apply. 2007-08-07. Polizei Bericht. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080329221355/http://polizeibericht.ch/ger_details_3106/St_Gallen_Vermisste_Ylenia_Lenhard_-_Kapo_Mutmassungen_der_Boulevardzeitung_Blick_treffen_nicht_zu.html. 2008-03-29. de.
  33. Web site: "The Ylenia case" does not let go of the St. Gallen canton police. 2013-07-07. Swiss Radio and Television. 2023-05-25.
  34. Web site: Scotland Yard a enquêté à St-Gall pour l'affaire Maddie. Scotland Yard investigated in St. Gallen for the Maddie case. 24 Heures. 2013-07-07. 2023-05-25. fr.

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