Case overview
Lars Mittank, a 28-year-old German man, was captured on security footage running from Varna Airport in Bulgaria on July 8, 2014, and has not been seen since. His abrupt departure followed a five-day stay in the country marked by escalating paranoia and erratic behavior. Despite extensive searches and international attention, no confirmed trace of Mittank has emerged in the decade since his disappearance.
The trip to Bulgaria
Mittank traveled to Varna, Bulgaria, on July 1, 2014, with five friends for a vacation at the Golden Sands resort. The group planned to return to Germany together on July 6. On the evening of July 5, Mittank was involved in an altercation with other tourists at a fast-food restaurant near the resort. According to his friends, the confrontation resulted in a ruptured eardrum.
The injury required medical evaluation. A local doctor advised Mittank not to fly until his ear had healed, warning that changes in air pressure could cause complications. His friends departed for Germany as scheduled on July 6. Mittank stayed behind to recover and checked into the Viva Hotel, a budget accommodation near the airport, to wait for medical clearance to travel.
The days alone
Between July 6 and July 8, Mittank remained in contact with his mother and girlfriend by phone. During these conversations, he expressed growing fear and made statements that alarmed both women. He told his mother he was being followed and warned her not to look for him if something happened. He also sent a text message urging her to cancel his credit cards.
Mittank’s behavior during this period was documented by hotel staff and medical personnel. On July 7, a doctor at a private clinic in Varna examined him and cleared him to fly. The physician later reported that Mittank appeared anxious and refused to wait in the office, insisting instead on staying in the hallway. Surveillance footage from the hotel showed him hiding on his balcony and appearing to watch the parking lot below for extended periods.
Hotel employees described Mittank as nervous and agitated. He reportedly asked staff if they had been paid to harm him. On the morning of July 8, he checked out of the hotel and took a taxi to Varna Airport to catch his rescheduled flight to Germany.
The airport security footage
Mittank arrived at Varna Airport on the morning of July 8. Surveillance cameras recorded him entering the terminal and proceeding to a seating area. The footage shows him sitting briefly before a construction worker approached and appeared to speak with him. Moments later, Mittank stood abruptly, left his luggage behind, and ran out of the airport.
The video, which has been widely circulated online, shows Mittank exiting through a door and sprinting across an open area near the terminal. He scaled a fence approximately two meters high and ran into a wooded area adjacent to the airport. Witnesses reported seeing him disappear into the vegetation. That was the last confirmed sighting of Lars Mittank.
The construction worker later told investigators he had simply asked Mittank if he was okay. No evidence of a physical confrontation or immediate threat at the airport has been documented.
The initial search
Bulgarian authorities launched a search operation shortly after Mittank’s disappearance was reported. Police and volunteers searched the wooded area near the airport, surrounding fields, and nearby towns. Sniffer dogs were deployed but did not locate a trail beyond the initial flight path captured on video.
Investigators recovered Mittank’s luggage and belongings from the airport, including his wallet, phone, and identification. His bank accounts showed no activity after July 8. There were no records of him boarding transportation, checking into another hotel, or crossing an international border.
Bulgarian police interviewed witnesses, reviewed airport security footage, and examined Mittank’s phone records. No evidence of foul play at the airport or hotel was established. The case was treated as a missing person investigation with no confirmed suspects.
Theories and unresolved questions
The circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Lars Mittank have generated multiple theories, none of which have been substantiated with physical evidence. One line of inquiry has focused on Mittank’s mental state in the days before he vanished. Family members reported no prior history of psychiatric illness, but the paranoia and fear he expressed in his final days raised questions about whether he experienced a mental health crisis triggered by the head injury, medication, or another unknown factor.
Some investigators have considered the possibility that Mittank was under the influence of drugs or medication that altered his perception or judgment. Toxicology results were never obtained, and it remains unclear what substances, if any, were in his system at the time of his disappearance.
Another theory involves the altercation on July 5. Mittank told his mother he was being followed but provided no specific details about who was allegedly pursuing him or why. No evidence has emerged to confirm that anyone tracked him to the hotel or airport. Investigators have not identified any individuals connected to the fight who had further contact with Mittank.
The terrain surrounding Varna Airport includes dense forests, agricultural land, and rural communities. Search teams covered significant ground in the immediate aftermath but found no clothing, personal items, or human remains. The possibility that Mittank became disoriented and succumbed to the elements has been discussed, though no body has been recovered despite multiple searches over the years.
Less substantiated theories have circulated online, including speculation about organized crime or human trafficking. Bulgarian authorities have stated there is no evidence to support these claims.
Ongoing efforts and public attention
The case of Lars Mittank has received significant media coverage in Germany and internationally. The airport surveillance footage has been viewed millions of times and has been featured in television programs focused on missing persons. His family has maintained public appeals for information and worked with both German and Bulgarian authorities to keep the investigation active.
In 2016, German television aired a segment on Mittank’s disappearance, and his case was included in a broader report on missing persons abroad. Despite renewed attention, no credible leads have resulted in new investigative breakthroughs.
Mittank’s mother has continued to advocate for answers, stating in interviews that she believes her son was in genuine fear and that his behavior was not voluntarily erratic. She has called for continued investigation into the events of July 6 through July 8 and has expressed frustration with the lack of resolution.
Current status
As of 2024, Lars Mittank remains a missing person. He is listed in international missing persons databases, and his case is classified as unresolved by both German and Bulgarian authorities. No confirmed sightings, credible witness reports, or physical evidence of his whereabouts have been reported since July 8, 2014.
The disappearance of Lars Mittank is defined by its final moments of documented movement and the abruptness with which the trail ended. What happened after he ran from Varna Airport remains unknown.
Where to look next
- Documentary: “Disappeared: The Lars Mittank Case” (Investigation Discovery)
- Podcast: “Lars Mittank” (“Casefile True Crime”, Casefile Presents)
- Podcast: “Lars Mittank” (“Trace Evidence”, Trace Evidence Podcast)
