Hilal Ercan missing case featured on ZDF's XY Spuren des Verbrechens

The German public‑service channel ZDF will broadcast a new episode of its true‑crime series "XY Spuren des Verbrechens" on 9 September. The programme examines the 1999 disappearance of 10‑year‑old Hilal Ercan, who vanished on 27 January after leaving the Elbgaupassage shopping centre in Hamburg’s Lurup district. The episode combines original material with fresh investigations and police expertise. Fabian Puchelt of the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office discusses how authorities handle missing‑person reports, while presenter Helene Reiner focuses on the lasting uncertainty faced by the victim’s family. The show airs on ZDF Neo at 00:50 and will be available in the ZDF Mediathek from 10 September until 6 May 2028.