Investigators still puzzled about German teen’s belongings

The body of 17-year-old Mike Mansholt, who was tragically found dead at the foot of Dingli cliffs last month will be flown to his hometown in Germany, local media report.

According to a Times of Malta report, a funeral service for the teen will be held tomorrow, after the body was released by local authorities following DNA confirmation of the identity of the body. Mansholt was in Malta on holiday on July 8th, when he was reported missing after failing to show up for his flight back home. His body was found on July 26th at the foot of Dingli cliffs.

Investigators have in the meantime said that they are perplexed about the whereabouts of Mansholt’s belongings. He was last seen leaving the Sliema hotel he was staying at carrying a backpack and riding a rented bicycle. Although the bicycle was found some metres away from the body, the bag has not been located yet.

According to reports, investigators continue to seek out the backpack as it might contain items like his mobile phone and camera, that might shed some light on his last moments. Investigators suspect that Mansholt left the bag somewhere before he died, and that it was stolen before or after his demise.

The investigation has so far concluded that the damage on the bicycle does not match a fall from the height. Mansholt is believed to have died some seven or eight days before he was found. Investigations are expected to continue given what have been described as ‘mysterious circumstances’ around the teenager’s death.