Conducted in harsh weather conditions, the search was intense to say the least. The German press described it as one of the largest mountain rescue operations ever carried out in Switzerland, with its cost estimated at around half a million Swiss francs. About sixty rescuers participated in the operation, supported by six helicopters. During the week, an area of 250 square kilometers, ranging from 1,650 to 4,200 meters on the Swiss and Italian sides of the mountain – where there are thousands of crevasses – was combed with a fine-toothed comb.
Police also analyzed KEH's mobile phone data and CCTV footage to see if the billionaire had appeared anywhere or logged in after his disappearance was reported. Ultimately, it was determined that his last connection to the Swiss mobile network was at 8:33 a.m., and The last photo taken by the surveillance camera on the ski lift at the Klein Matterhorn mountain station was taken at 9:06 am.
At the same time, the Federal Chancellery, the Foreign Ministry, the German Embassy in Switzerland and the US Embassy were contacted, as KEH also holds US citizenship. All to no avail. Although no traces of his disappearance or his body were found, a court in Cologne declared Karl Erivan Hoppe dead unexpectedly on May 14, 2021.which was perhaps a bit hasty in light of the results of the recent investigation broadcast by RTL+.
In any case, the court in North Rhine-Westphalia brought an abrupt end to a case that left countless questions unanswered. Questions that prompted two of the channel's investigative journalists to delve into KEH's past. Two investigators quickly discovered several clues pointing to this The missing rich man lived a double life.
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