Introduction
In July 2014, a typical holiday for a young German man turned into one of the most haunting missing‐person mysteries of the 21st century. 28‑year‑old Lars Mittank travelled to Golden Sands resort in Bulgaria with friends, but never made it back home. His final moments were captured on airport surveillance, and his disappearance remains unsolved.
Who was Lars Mittank?
Lars Joachim Mittank (born 9 February 1986 in Berlin, Germany) was described by friends and family as responsible, well‑adjusted and with no known mental illness.
He travelled with friends to Golden Sands near Varna on the Black Sea coast in late June 2014 for a week of holiday.
The Vacation That Changed Everything
For the first few days, everything seemed normal: beach, pool, football, nightlife. Then things went off‑track. On 6 July 2014, Lars reportedly got into an argument with other German tourists over football at a bar. He claimed to have been beaten up afterwards and told his friends he had injured his jaw and ear.
A doctor diagnosed him with a ruptured eardrum and injured jaw, and advised him not to fly due to the ear injury.
The Strange Behaviour
After his friends flew home on 7 July, Lars stayed behind. At the airport hotel and later at Varna airport, his behaviour became erratic: hiding in lifts, pacing hallways, calling his mother whispering that “people were trying to kill or rob me”.
The Final Moments
On 8 July 2014, Lars arrived at Varna Airport. He met with the airport doctor who cleared him for flight. The doctor later described his behaviour as “nervous and erratic”.
Shortly thereafter, Lars reportedly shouted: “I don’t want to die here! I have to get out of here!” and fled the terminal, leaving behind his bag, phone and passport. CCTV footage shows him sprinting across the car park, vaulting a fence, and disappearing into the woods.
What Happened to Him? Theories & Clues
Here are some of the main theories:
Psychosis or antibiotic reaction: Some suggest his antibiotic (for the ear injury) caused hallucinations/paranoia. But the doctor said he never filled the prescription.
Foul play / attack: The initial fight and his claims of being followed raise the possibility of a targeted attack.
Voluntary disappearance: Some speculate he may have chosen to vanish, though his behaviour suggests panic not planning.
Accident in the woods / lost / succumbing to elements: Running into the forest late at night could have led to tragedy.
To this day there is no definitive evidence revealing what happened to Lars.
Why This Case Grips Us
It’s caught on camera — rarely a missing person’s final moments are captured so eerily.
The transition from holiday fun to full panic is dramatic and hard to explain.
It spans possible medical, psychological, criminal or supernatural causes — no single answer fits.
The internet dubbed him “the most famous missing person on YouTube” because the video of his run from the airport went viral.
What We Can Learn
Travel safety: Injuries on holiday and not following up the medical advice can spiral unpredictably.
Mental health & medical transparency: Sudden behavioural changes warrant immediate intervention.
Vigilance: Being alone in a foreign environment magnifies vulnerability.
Conclusion
The disappearance of Lars Mittank remains a chilling reminder that sometimes, even in our connected world, people vanish without a trace. No one knows whether foul play, mental breakdown, accident, or other forces were at work. The woods outside Varna hold a secret that may never see the light of day.
His story continues to fascinate, frighten, and motivate true‑crime researchers and casual readers alike.
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