Read our report from back then, shortly after the disappearance of the Hamburg entrepreneur:
What is known so far: On 29 April 2024, Frank Procopius will set off from the Grünendeich jetty on the Elbe at 8.41 a.m. in his seaworthy rigid-hull inflatable boat. The 60-year-old is planning a test trip with a new engine. At around 3.30 p.m., position data shows a figure-of-eight manoeuvre on the North Sea - typical for collecting objects from the water. Shortly afterwards, everything points to a pilotless boat. The radio signal on his mobile phone disappears. His partner alerts the police. The water police find the empty boat 46 kilometres northwest of Cuxhaven between Cuxhaven and Helgoland.
Body found on South Oogsand
Ten weeks later, on 9 July 2024, employees of the Wadden Sea Protection Station make a shocking discovery. During a bird count on the Süderoogsand sandbank west of Pellworm in the district of Nordfriesland, they discover a badly decomposed corpse. The forensic examination identifies the dead man as Frank Procopius. The discovery site is around 50 kilometres away from the boat found. The K1 homicide unit of the Flensburg district criminal investigation department takes over the investigation together with the Flensburg public prosecutor's office.
Elaborate reconstruction on "Aktenzeichen XY
The broadcast at File number XY on 8 April 2026 was, according to the editors, one of the most elaborate productions in the history of the programme. For the first time, the investigators reveal details in the programme that suggest a murder. The Bild newspaper had already reported on the cable tie on the neck in 2024. Now further evidence has been added. The public prosecutor's office in Flensburg is offering a reward of 7,000 euros for information leading to the identification of the perpetrator.
Several tips after the programme
During the programme, a witness from the victim's immediate environment comes forward. At the end of the programme, Florian Puchelt from the LKA Bayern tells presenter Rudi Cerne about the tip-off. The police immediately make contact and arrange a hearing. The witness provides "very specific information". By Thursday morning, the Flensburg police had received around 50 tips. Around 40 media such as photos and videos are viewed. Many of the tips concern the special shape of the shackles. A witness from the coal mining industry confirms that such connecting hooks are used to fasten weights in his industry.
Disturbing details on the corpse
The investigation brings disturbing details to light. A tightly fastened cable tie ties the body's neck. The lifejacket has been deployed, but an air chamber has been wilfully destroyed with a knife. The knife sheath on the waistcoat is empty. There are metal shackles on the waistcoat - connecting hooks that do not belong to the boat. Weights may have been attached to them. The dead man is wearing a black wetsuit. "Anything is possible in this case," says public prosecutor Roman Mulke in the ZDF programme Aktenzeichen XY on 8 April 2026. Suicide is classified as very unlikely.
Suspicion of a drug milieu
Investigators suspect a homicide in the drug scene. GPS data shows that the boat was travelling in a figure of eight in the North Sea area. "The North Sea area in particular is known for drop-off operations," explains Mulke. Drug parcels are often transported in small, manoeuvrable boats - "exactly the kind of boat that Frank Procopius had". Procopius could have been involved in drug trafficking or accidentally got caught up in a drug pick-up. The businessman is said to have had a neighbourhood past and had contacts in the milieu until his death. Drug parcels are repeatedly washed up off North Sea islands such as Juist or Amrum.
The "RIB Pirates" from Hamburg
Frank Procopius was known in Hamburg for his speedboat trips. He ran the company RIB-Piraten, which offers harbour tours with rigid inflatable boats. On the day of his disappearance, Procopius was travelling in one such RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), which accelerates up to 90 kilometres per hour. The The company continues to offer the tours.
In 2017, BOOTE Magazine visited Frank Procopius and his partner Caroline Schmidt at their RIB base in the City Sports Boat Harbour. You can find out all about the history of the company in the report from back then: RIB Pirates - One, two, three - full throttle!
Appeal for witnesses continues
The criminal investigation department is hoping for further witnesses who observed something in the area between Grünendeich and the mouth of the Elbe on 29 April 2024. "Even information that initially seems insignificant may be relevant to the investigation," explains police spokesman Jan Krüger. The police will accept information on 0461-484 5555. An anonymous hotline has been set up on 0160-20 68 666. About the Information portal of the Schleswig-Holstein state police photos, videos and general observations can be uploaded. All police stations can contact the Flensburg investigators.
Jill Grigoleit
Editor Travel
