# ZDF crime programming 2026 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/zdf-truecrime-series-xy-gelst-2026-specials > Updated: 2026-09-08T08:00:00.000Z. Sources: 72. Developments: 13. In spring 2026, ZDF rolled out four special episodes of its true‑crime spin‑off “XY gelöst”. Two double‑bill nights on 29 April and 10 June revisited solved murders—including the 1988 Cologne carnival killing of Petra Nohl and a 2025 murder—and were made available online from 22 April. During the summer, the broadcaster maintained its crime focus. On 8 July, a one‑hour “Aktenzeichen XY … Vermisst” special presented five cold‑case missing‑person investigations. On 19 August, the program “Aktenzeichen XY … Ungelöst,” hosted by Rudi Cerne, featured several unsolved cases to solicit public assistance. These included a sexual assault in a park, a robbery following a market visit, the mysterious murder of a man in a social shelter, and the disappearance of a student. The broadcast highlighted the 2000 disappearance of twelve-year-old Sandra Wißmann from Berlin-Kreuzberg, noting investigators are looking into a suspicious man who approached a girl in the area claiming to be performing renovation work. In the case of the murder of 59-year-old Roland Färber in a Glückstadt social accommodation, authorities offered a 3,000 euro reward for information, noting that forensic evidence suggests violence was involved. A broadcast on 29 July regarding the 2015 disappearance of five-year-old Inga Gehricke prompted police chief commissioner Michael Ripke to report that the program generated “many new pieces of information.” Additionally, the series “XY Spuren des Verbrechens” is scheduled to air on 9 September, examining the 1999 disappearance of Hilal Ercan in Hamburg. On 19 August, the program also highlighted the August 2025 murder of 67-year-old Waldemar S. near Langenhagen, where investigators believe the victim was attacked near a park bench and his body was moved. The broadcast further sought leads on a 35-year-old cold case involving student Ulrike Herrmann. Following the 19 August broadcast, the program generated significant public interest. ## Claims - Inga Gehricke disappeared on 2 May 2015 at the Wilhelmshof near Stendal, Germany. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Inga Gehricke was five years old when she disappeared. (corroborated by 20 sources) - No remains or solid leads have been found since the disappearance. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The case was broadcast on ZDF’s Aktenzeichen XY … ungelöst on 29 July 2026. (corroborated by 17 sources) - Inga Gehricke, aged five, disappeared on 2 May 2015 during a family gathering at the Diakoniewerk Wilhelmshof near Stendal. (corroborated by 12 sources) - No trace of Inga Gehricke has been found despite extensive search efforts by police and family. (corroborated by 12 sources) - ZDF’s programme “Aktenzeichen XY … ungelöst” aired a new episode about the Inga Gehricke case, hosted by Rudi Cerne. (corroborated by 12 sources) - Police received many new tips after the ZDF broadcast on 29 July 2026. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Police consider accident, kidnapping or violent crime as possible explanations. (corroborated by 9 sources) - A cold‑case unit of the Halle police has been investigating the disappearance since 2023. (corroborated by 8 sources) - After the ZDF episode, police received new tips and are reviewing them. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Police have not excluded a criminal act, accident or kidnapping in the disappearance. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-08: ZDF true-crime series 'XY gelöst' enters sixth season ZDF's true-crime series 'XY gelöst' enters its sixth season with Sven Voss, focusing on complex criminal cases through a non-sensationalist lens. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zdf-true-crime-series-xy-gelst-enters-sixth-season ### 2026-09-07: German crime program to feature two unsolved investigations The TV program ‘Aktenzeichen XY... ungelöst’ will feature two unsolved German criminal cases: a 2024 murder in Lampertheim and a 2025 bridge fall in Karlsruhe, with rewards offered for information. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-crime-program-to-feature-two-unsolved-investigations ### 2026-08-19: ZDF program Aktenzeichen XY generates new leads in German cold cases The ZDF program ‘Aktenzeichen XY... ungelöst’ has prompted new leads in several German cold cases, including a rape in Bad Salzuflen and the 35-year-old murder of Ulrike Herrmann. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zdf-program-to-feature-unsolved-murder-and-disappearance-cases ### 2026-08-17: ZDF crime program ‘Aktenzeichen XY’ to feature unsolved cases ZDF’s ‘Aktenzeichen XY... Ungelöst’ will feature several unsolved cases on August 19, including the 2000 disappearance of Sandra Wißmann and a suspicious death in Glückstadt. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zdf-program-revisits-unsolved-criminal-cases ### 2026-08-05: ZDF to air four new 'XY gelöst' episodes in September and November 2026 ZDF will broadcast four new ‘XY gelöst’ true‑crime episodes in September and November 2026, hosted by Sven Voss, revisiting solved cases such as a 21‑year‑old murder and a body found in a suitcase. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zdf-to-air-four-new-xy-gelst-episodes-in-september-and-november-2026 ### 2026-08-01: Hilal Ercan missing case featured on ZDF's XY Spuren des Verbrechens ZDF’s true‑crime show will air a September episode on the 1999 disappearance of 10‑year‑old Hilal Ercan in Hamburg, featuring new research and police insight. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hilal-ercan-missing-case-featured-on-zdfs-xy-spuren-des-verbrechens ### 2026-07-26: Inga Gehricke case: New tips emerge after ZDF’s “Aktenzeichen XY” broadcast Inga Gehricke, missing since 2015, was featured on ZDF’s “Aktenzeichen XY”. Police chief Michael Ripke reports many new tips, ongoing review, no remains found, and no exclusion of criminal act. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/club-der-roten-bnder-new-generation-series-launches-on-vox-and-rtl-in-germany ### 2026-07-17: ZDF ends 46‑year‑old crime series ‘Ein Fall für zwei’ ZDF will end “Ein Fall für zwei” after 46 years, airing a final four‑episode season next year and a 2027 concluding film; the move is part of a programming reshuffle and has drawn fan disappointment. 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zdf-to-end-ein-fall-fr-zwei-after-46-years-final-season-airs-2027 ### 2026-07-08: ZDF’s ‘Aktenzeichen XY… Vermisst’ special airs July 8, revisiting cold‑case disappearances ZDF aired a ‘Aktenzeichen XY… Vermisst’ special on July 8, revisiting the disappearances of Alexander Bohnert, Corina Niemand and Jutta Schulz, and urging new tips. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jutta-schulz-disappearance-to-be-featured-in-zdfs-aktenzeichen-xy-special ### 2026-07-05: ZDF to Air Special 'Aktenzeichen XY … Vermisst' on July 8, Showcasing Five Cold Missing‑Person Cases ZDF will air a special ‘Aktenzeichen XY … Vermisst’ on 8 July 2026, presenting five long‑standing missing‑person cases and seeking public tips. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zdf-revisits-12year-missing-case-of-jutta-schulz-on-aktenzeichen-xy-vermisst ### 2026-06-17: German public broadcasters revamp schedules and debut new crime series German TV networks adjust schedules, air a new true‑crime show, begin filming a new Tatort episode, and offer a crime documentary online. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/germanys-crime-tv-lineup-expands-with-new-tatort-shoot-wahre-verbrechen-episodes-and-medical-detecti ### 2026-06-08: ZDF schedules four XY gelöst true‑crime special episodes for 2026 ZDF will broadcast four XY gelöst true‑crime specials in 2026, airing two double‑bill evenings (29 April, 10 June) covering solved murders from Cologne and Worms, with episodes available online. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zdf-schedules-four-xy-gelst-truecrime-special-episodes-for-2026 ### 2026-06-02: ZDF to Air Four Special Episodes of True‑Crime Series “XY gelöst” in 2026 ZDF will broadcast four special “XY gelöst” episodes on 29 April and 10 June 2026, each night showing two solved true‑crime cases, with online streaming from 22 April. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zdf-to-air-four-special-episodes-of-truecrime-series-xy-gelst-in-2026 --- Cite as: ZDF crime programming 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/zdf-truecrime-series-xy-gelst-2026-specials