Homicide Squad Leads Search for Missing 13-Year-Old Girl in Berlin

Berlin law enforcement authorities have initiated a large-scale search operation and a homicide investigation following the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl in the district of Marzahn. Lisa Tạ has been missing since Tuesday morning, and officials from the police and public prosecutor's office stated that they suspect a criminal act rather than a voluntary departure. The 5th Homicide Squad of the Berlin State Criminal Police Office took over the case after the teenager failed to arrive at her school.

More than 140 emergency personnel have been deployed across the residential neighborhood in eastern Berlin. Search teams are inspecting parked vehicles, questioning commuters at public transit stops, and searching secluded green belts. According to police spokesman Florian Nath, officers are conducting repeated resident interviews and distributing posters in the area to gather potential leads. Previous search measures utilizing tracking dogs and a police helicopter did not yield immediate results.

The missing student was last seen leaving her apartment building on Golliner Straße at approximately 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday. Her route was intended to take her from Barnimplatz by bus to her school located on Sella-Hasse-Straße. Investigators from the public prosecutor's office and police emphasized that a violent crime cannot be ruled out, as circumstances indicate she did not leave her home environment of her own free will.

Police describe Lisa Tạ as approximately 1.60 to 1.65 meters tall, of slim build, with long dark hair. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a black hooded puffer jacket, blue flared jeans, white and beige DC brand shoes of the Court Graffik model, and carrying a black backpack. The homicide squad has requested that anyone with information regarding her whereabouts contact the Berlin State Criminal Police Office.

Written by Freya Stensrud freya.stensrud@alpineweekly.com