Disappearance Of Lars Mittank
Mysterious Tourist Disappearance
CLASSIFICATION: Missing Person
LOCATION
Varna, Bulgaria
TIME PERIOD
July 8, 2014
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On July 8, 2014, Lars Joachim Mittank, a 28-year-old German man, disappeared near Varna Airport in Bulgaria after exhibiting erratic behavior and expressing fears for his safety. Following an altercation and subsequent health concerns, he was last seen on airport security footage fleeing into a nearby forest, and he has not been located since. The case remains unsolved and has garnered significant media attention, making Mittank one of the most well-known missing persons cases involving a tourist.
Theories surrounding the disappearance of Lars Mittank include speculation that his strange behavior prior to vanishing may have been influenced by a head injury sustained during a fight, leading to paranoia and a fear for his life. Some believe he may have been fleeing from perceived threats, possibly linked to drug use or mental health issues. Additionally, there are theories suggesting he could have intentionally gone off the grid or met with foul play, though no concrete evidence supports these claims.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Lars Mittank
A Vanishing Act in Bulgaria
In the summer of 2014, Lars Joachim Mittank, a 28-year-old German man, embarked on a vacation that would soon become one of the world's most intriguing mysteries. Born on February 9, 1986, in Berlin, Mittank had lived in Itzehoe, Schleswig-Holstein, where he worked at a power plant. Known for his quiet demeanor, Lars was a devoted son who helped his parents, especially after his father suffered a stroke. He was just a regular person, a man with friends, a girlfriend, and a routine life.
On June 30, 2014, Lars took his first trip outside of Germany, traveling with five friends to the Golden Sands resort, a bustling seaside escape in Varna, Bulgaria. The vacation seemed typical at first – beach lounging, poolside relaxation, and nights spent clubbing. Paul Rohmann, one of Lars's friends, later recalled their time as carefree and enjoyable. However, amidst the fun, Lars's eating habits changed; he ate very little, often just soup or salad, though this was the only oddity noted until the trip's end.
Strange Events Unfold
The night of July 6 marked a turning point. An argument erupted at a bar between Lars, a fan of SV Werder Bremen, and other German nationals supporting FC Bayern Munich. The night ended with Lars separating from his friends outside a restaurant, only to vanish until the next morning. When he reappeared, he claimed he had been attacked by four men hired by the group from the bar. His injuries included an alleged injured jaw and a ruptured eardrum. A local doctor advised against flying, prescribing the antibiotic Cefprozil for his injuries. Despite this, Lars urged his friends to continue their journey back home without him. They obliged, though some doubted his story's credibility.
Lars checked into the Hotel Color Varna, a modest accommodation close to the airport, for an additional night. Alone, he began exhibiting signs of paranoia. Calls to his mother, Sandra Mittank, revealed his growing fear – he whispered about people trying to kill or rob him, advising her to cancel his credit cards. Security footage from the hotel captured Lars pacing, peering out windows, and hiding in an elevator. In the early hours, he left the hotel, returning an hour later with no explanation for his absence.
The Final Day
July 8, 2014, was the day Lars intended to return to Germany. He messaged his mother from Varna Airport, where he sought a consultation with airport doctor Kosta Kostov. Described as nervous and erratic, Lars was reassured by Kostov that he was fit to fly. Yet his anxiety persisted, especially with his doubts about the medication. When a construction worker entered the office, Lars panicked, exclaiming, "I don't want to die here! I have to get out of here!" Leaving behind all his possessions, he bolted from the office, captured by security cameras as he fled the terminal, climbed a fence, and disappeared into a nearby forest. Those were the last verified moments of Lars Mittank.
Theories and Speculations
The reasons behind Lars's behavior remain a mystery. His mother and some medical professionals suspect the antibiotic Cefprozil, known to cause rare psychotic reactions, might have been responsible. However, Kostov asserted that Lars had not taken the prescribed medication, leaving the cause of his panic unexplained. The possibility of a mental health crisis, perhaps an undiagnosed condition, has also been considered.
Despite extensive searches, Lars's fate remains unknown. Sandra Mittank, unwavering in her belief that her son is alive, hired private investigator Andreas Gütig, who found no trace of Lars in hospital records. Reports of sightings across various countries, including a hitchhiker resembling an older Lars seen by a German truck driver in 2019, have surfaced, though none confirmed.
An Unsolved Mystery
Lars Mittank's disappearance has captivated the world, earning him the title of "the most famous missing person on YouTube." By May 2018, footage of his airport escape had garnered over 16 million views. The enigma surrounding his case continues to fuel speculation and discussion, as Lars remains missing, with no closure in sight.
Lars is described as 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) tall, with dark blond hair and a scar on his left forearm. His story is a haunting reminder of how quickly an ordinary life can spiral into an unsolvable mystery.
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Trip to Bulgaria Begins
Lars Mittank travels to Varna, Bulgaria with friends for a holiday.
Altercation at Bar
Mittank gets into a disagreement with other German nationals over football.
Injury and Doctor's Visit
Mittank visits a doctor after claiming he was beaten up, advised not to fly.
Last Seen at Airport
Mittank is seen on security footage fleeing Varna Airport after a doctor's visit.
Flees Airport
Mittank runs from the airport into a nearby forest, never to be seen again.
Investigation Continues
Private investigator hired by Mittank's mother to search for him.
Case Gains Attention
Security footage of Mittank's disappearance viewed over 16 million times online.
Case Remains Unsolved
Mittank's disappearance continues to be a mystery with no confirmed sightings.
On July 8, 2014, Lars Joachim Mittank, a 28-year-old German man, disappeared near Varna Airport in Bulgaria after exhibiting erratic behavior and expressing fears for his safety. Following an altercation and subsequent health concerns, he was last seen on airport security footage fleeing into a nearby forest, and he has not been located since. The case remains unsolved and has garnered significant media attention, making Mittank one of the most well-known missing persons cases involving a tourist.
Theories surrounding the disappearance of Lars Mittank include speculation that his strange behavior prior to vanishing may have been influenced by a head injury sustained during a fight, leading to paranoia and a fear for his life. Some believe he may have been fleeing from perceived threats, possibly linked to drug use or mental health issues. Additionally, there are theories suggesting he could have intentionally gone off the grid or met with foul play, though no concrete evidence supports these claims.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Lars Mittank
A Vanishing Act in Bulgaria
In the summer of 2014, Lars Joachim Mittank, a 28-year-old German man, embarked on a vacation that would soon become one of the world's most intriguing mysteries. Born on February 9, 1986, in Berlin, Mittank had lived in Itzehoe, Schleswig-Holstein, where he worked at a power plant. Known for his quiet demeanor, Lars was a devoted son who helped his parents, especially after his father suffered a stroke. He was just a regular person, a man with friends, a girlfriend, and a routine life.
On June 30, 2014, Lars took his first trip outside of Germany, traveling with five friends to the Golden Sands resort, a bustling seaside escape in Varna, Bulgaria. The vacation seemed typical at first – beach lounging, poolside relaxation, and nights spent clubbing. Paul Rohmann, one of Lars's friends, later recalled their time as carefree and enjoyable. However, amidst the fun, Lars's eating habits changed; he ate very little, often just soup or salad, though this was the only oddity noted until the trip's end.
Strange Events Unfold
The night of July 6 marked a turning point. An argument erupted at a bar between Lars, a fan of SV Werder Bremen, and other German nationals supporting FC Bayern Munich. The night ended with Lars separating from his friends outside a restaurant, only to vanish until the next morning. When he reappeared, he claimed he had been attacked by four men hired by the group from the bar. His injuries included an alleged injured jaw and a ruptured eardrum. A local doctor advised against flying, prescribing the antibiotic Cefprozil for his injuries. Despite this, Lars urged his friends to continue their journey back home without him. They obliged, though some doubted his story's credibility.
Lars checked into the Hotel Color Varna, a modest accommodation close to the airport, for an additional night. Alone, he began exhibiting signs of paranoia. Calls to his mother, Sandra Mittank, revealed his growing fear – he whispered about people trying to kill or rob him, advising her to cancel his credit cards. Security footage from the hotel captured Lars pacing, peering out windows, and hiding in an elevator. In the early hours, he left the hotel, returning an hour later with no explanation for his absence.
The Final Day
July 8, 2014, was the day Lars intended to return to Germany. He messaged his mother from Varna Airport, where he sought a consultation with airport doctor Kosta Kostov. Described as nervous and erratic, Lars was reassured by Kostov that he was fit to fly. Yet his anxiety persisted, especially with his doubts about the medication. When a construction worker entered the office, Lars panicked, exclaiming, "I don't want to die here! I have to get out of here!" Leaving behind all his possessions, he bolted from the office, captured by security cameras as he fled the terminal, climbed a fence, and disappeared into a nearby forest. Those were the last verified moments of Lars Mittank.
Theories and Speculations
The reasons behind Lars's behavior remain a mystery. His mother and some medical professionals suspect the antibiotic Cefprozil, known to cause rare psychotic reactions, might have been responsible. However, Kostov asserted that Lars had not taken the prescribed medication, leaving the cause of his panic unexplained. The possibility of a mental health crisis, perhaps an undiagnosed condition, has also been considered.
Despite extensive searches, Lars's fate remains unknown. Sandra Mittank, unwavering in her belief that her son is alive, hired private investigator Andreas Gütig, who found no trace of Lars in hospital records. Reports of sightings across various countries, including a hitchhiker resembling an older Lars seen by a German truck driver in 2019, have surfaced, though none confirmed.
An Unsolved Mystery
Lars Mittank's disappearance has captivated the world, earning him the title of "the most famous missing person on YouTube." By May 2018, footage of his airport escape had garnered over 16 million views. The enigma surrounding his case continues to fuel speculation and discussion, as Lars remains missing, with no closure in sight.
Lars is described as 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) tall, with dark blond hair and a scar on his left forearm. His story is a haunting reminder of how quickly an ordinary life can spiral into an unsolvable mystery.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Trip to Bulgaria Begins
Lars Mittank travels to Varna, Bulgaria with friends for a holiday.
Altercation at Bar
Mittank gets into a disagreement with other German nationals over football.
Injury and Doctor's Visit
Mittank visits a doctor after claiming he was beaten up, advised not to fly.
Last Seen at Airport
Mittank is seen on security footage fleeing Varna Airport after a doctor's visit.
Flees Airport
Mittank runs from the airport into a nearby forest, never to be seen again.
Investigation Continues
Private investigator hired by Mittank's mother to search for him.
Case Gains Attention
Security footage of Mittank's disappearance viewed over 16 million times online.
Case Remains Unsolved
Mittank's disappearance continues to be a mystery with no confirmed sightings.