Horrifying: Remains of missing Hungarian man found 25 years after disappearance – Father suspected in gruesome murder
After a quarter of a century, the tragic truth behind the disappearance of Péter K. has finally come to light. The young man from Szombathely vanished without a trace in 2000. In June 2025, his remains were discovered on the banks of the Perint Creek, directly across from his family’s home, in the exact location police had long suspected he might be buried. Authorities believe his father murdered, dismembered, and buried him in plastic bags. The suspected killer died years ago.
Missing and forgotten – A tip no one took seriously
According to 444.hu, Péter K.’s mother reported her son missing to police on 19 February 2001—more than six months after she had last seen him. The young man disappeared in the summer of 2000 without any further sign of life. From the outset, police treated the case as a suspicious disappearance, but the investigation stalled for years.
The boy’s father provided a convincing account: he claimed Péter had received a summons to serve time for property crimes and had then “fled to Canada with a friend” to avoid prison. The father also alleged that Péter had started a new life and family in Canada. While police requested verification from Canadian authorities, they found no trace of Péter K. Nevertheless, the story persisted for years.
‘The church plunderer’ and a dark family secret
According to police records, the elder K. became known in the early 2000s for a series of church thefts—stealing offering money and religious artefacts. His son followed in his footsteps and was even held in custody on multiple occasions, 112press.hu reports.
Behind the scenes, an even more disturbing conflict was developing: during Péter’s absence, his father began a relationship with his son’s partner. When Péter was released, the situation escalated into a deadly confrontation. Authorities now believe that, following a heated argument, the father killed his son, dismembered the body, and buried it in plastic bags along the Perint Creek, directly opposite their home.
The killer is dead – but the investigation carried on
The elder K. died in 2004, taking his secrets with him—or so it seemed. For years, police searched in vain for the remains, combing the creekside area multiple times. It was not until June 2025 that a major breakthrough occurred, thanks to a new excavation organised with assistance from experts at the Savaria Museum and the Institute for Research of Hungarians.
During earthworks conducted with heavy machinery, human remains were uncovered. Alongside the bones, fragments of plastic bags were found. Forensic experts confirmed the bones were over 20 years old, showed signs of physical trauma, and were unquestionably human.
Genetic testing has now brought closure to the case: the remains belong to Péter K.
Lie detector exposes accomplice to silence
Police also re-interviewed the father’s former partner, submitting her to a lie detector test, which she failed. She was particularly deceptive when asked if she knew the location of “little Káló’s” body. While she did not offer specific details, the results clearly indicated that she had knowledge of the murder.
Goal: Justice for every victim
According to the official police statement, the case is now being treated as a homicide. Though the primary suspect is deceased, authorities intend to uncover every detail. Officials emphasised that justice must be served for victims, regardless of whether those responsible are still alive.
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