Is The Black Forest Murders a chilling true crime story or just a thrilling fiction?

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Apart from creating a wealth of captivating original dramas, I must say that the BBC stands out by acquiring numerous intriguing productions from various corners of the world.

Moving forward, you’ll find “The Black Forest Murders” on BBC Four and iPlayer. This gripping, four-episode series delves deep into the thick of intense detective work.

On BBC Four and iPlayer, prepare to immerse yourself in the world of “The Black Forest Murders”, a thrilling four-part drama that brings you up close with intricate investigations.

A young female has vanished. Following a thorough investigation, her lifeless body is discovered, having been brutally murdered by an unidentified perpetrator.

In the investigation, Detective Barbara Kramer (Nina Kunzendorf) from Lauburg police department, along with her team which includes Thomas Riedle (Tilman Strauß), starts the manhunt for the culprit. They question witnesses and collect proof, but they’re unable to achieve swift results.

The team expands into a substantial investigation squad, amassing numerous leads and trying to link them. Furthermore, they encounter another homicide, the connection to which remains uncertain, while striking resemblances to an incident from Austria that happened four years prior are becoming apparent.

For several months under the close scrutiny of the public with high expectations, the police officers have been under increasing stress. However, their determination eventually pays off and they are praised for their efforts.

But is The Black Forest Murders based on a true story? Read on to find out.

Is The Black Forest Murders on BBC Four based on a true story?

The story you’re referring to is both fictional and based on actual events. It was inspired by two true incidents that took place in southern Baden, Germany, back in 2016.

The four-part series draws insights from the real-life mystery novel “SOKO Erle” authored by Walter Roth, delving deep into the investigative and autopsy aspects of the case.

Writers Robert Hummel and Martina Mouchot expressed their captivation by how Roth’s novel addressed the pivotal piece linked to the murders of three young females.

Regarding the Black Forest Murders, Hummel expressed on his site that four years ago, he came across these crimes and investigations detailed in Walther Roth’s non-fiction book SOKO Erle. He found the incidents deeply affecting and the efforts of the police and forensic experts commendable, which led him to think, “This story needs to be brought to life as a movie.

Furthermore, discussing both the book and its role in inspiring the series, Mouchot stated (through SBS): “Roth paints a detailed picture in this extraordinary book about the diligent and eventually fruitful hunt for the killers of three young women, seen through the eyes of a police press officer.

The pair expressed their admiration in a shared statement regarding the series, noting that they were captivated by the police’s relentless pursuit, dedication, and extensive resources expended during their investigations. Each lead was meticulously pursued, international boundaries were crossed, and an impressive amount of overtime was accrued to bring the crimes to a resolution.

Mouchot added: “We successfully managed to convince seasoned producer Nils Dünker, who assisted us in crafting a compelling and proficient storyline. Our aim was to dramatize the crimes in a traditional fashion, yet depict the police investigations with precision and authenticity.

What we did was to fabricate the entire investigation process, creating fictional detectives with made-up histories, as well as imaginary crime scenes. Additionally, we rearranged the sequence of the murders and distanced both the victims and their families from the truth.

We aimed to avoid sensationalizing the pain of the victims and their loved ones in the media, and also refrained from providing undue focus to the perpetrators, as a mark of respect for the situation and to uphold the integrity of those involved.

When dealing with parts that required modification and transformation, we sought advice from a case analyst who is also a professor of forensic medicine. This individual has extensive research ties with a criminalistics background. We directed our queries to them to ensure an authentic representation that surpasses the realistic aspects of the original literary work.

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2025-05-31 11:09