Bierkönig murder case on Mallorca revisited by investigators

The unsolved triple murder known as the ‘Bierkönig-Mord’ on Mallorca is being revisited by the German investigative program ‘Aktenzeichen XY... International’. The case dates back to the night of November 12, 1997, when Manfred Meisel, a German restaurateur who operated the famous ‘Bierkönig’ venue, was shot dead at his finca near S'Aranjassa.

Also killed in the attack were Meisel’s eight-year-old son, Patrick, and animal keeper Claudia Leisten. Investigators believe the perpetrators acted professionally and with specific intent. Potential motives include rivalries surrounding Meisel’s valuable parrot breeding business or possible links to organized crime.

While the statute of limitations has expired in Spain, the Frankfurt public prosecutor's office continues to investigate because Meisel was a German citizen. The program, moderated by Rudi Cerne, aims to find new witnesses to help solve the nearly 30-year-old case.