RedHanded Podcast: ShortHand – Where is Lars Mittank?
Episode Release Date: March 27, 2026
Hosts: Hannah & Mabel
Episode Overview
In this ShortHand episode, Hannah and Mabel dig into one of Europe’s most mystifying modern disappearances—the case of Lars Mittank, a German tourist who vanished without a trace from Varna Airport, Bulgaria, in 2014. They meticulously walk listeners through Lars’ final days, the strange circumstances surrounding his disappearance, and the lingering questions and theories that continue to baffle investigators, internet sleuths, and his family.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Background: Who Was Lars Mittank?
- Lars Mittank: 28-year-old German, worked at a coal power plant in Wilhelmshaven, sporty and health-conscious, usually vacationed on fishing or sporting trips.
- Unusual Holiday Choice: Lars agreed to join a “lads holiday” in Bulgaria’s party resort Golden Sands, mainly due to a last-minute invite (04:06).
Quote [04:06]:
Mabel: “Lars was working ‘round the clock. He just needed a break.”
2. Events Leading to Disappearance
A. The Incident at the Bar (06:42):
- On July 3, 2014: Lars and friends watch World Cup matches at a bar; minor altercation with Bayern Munich fans over Lars's Werder Bremen jersey.
B. The Alleged Assault (08:01):
- Returning to the hotel alone, Lars claimed he was attacked by a group of “Russians or Bavarians.”
- His friends doubted the story but noted he was in pain and had a hurting ear.
C. Visit to the Doctor (09:32):
- Diagnosed with a ruptured eardrum, prescribed the antibiotic Cefzil 500.
- Lars had negative interactions with the Bulgarian doctor, alleging poor communication and being mocked for not speaking the language.
Quote [09:32]:
Hannah: “He told his mum the doctor refused to speak to him in English and refused any attempts to communicate at all, but still charged him...”
3. Increasing Paranoia & Odd Behavior
D. The Hotel Mishap (11:00):
- Lars became paranoid when hotel staff copied his credit card details, calling his mother repeatedly and insisting his cards be cancelled.
E. Escalation (15:47):
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Lars contacted his mother—now desperate and paranoid—insisting he had to leave and go into hiding.
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He told his mother: “There’s something wrong with the hotel... I have to get out of here.” (16:13)
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By 2:30–3:00am, Lars claimed he was being followed by four men and was "high up" and could fall (17:20).
Notable Quote [17:20]:
Mabel: “In a quiet whisper, he told her he was being followed by four men and that he was hiding... ‘I’m high up and could fall.’”
Text Message (17:31):
- Texted his mother twice: “Cefzil 500 what is this?”
4. The Final Hours
F. Arrival at Varna Airport (19:44):
- Picked up frantically by a cab driver, pupils dilated, seeking safety at the airport.
- Spoke to his mother, seemingly lucid, asked for money via Western Union.
G. Last Verified Sighting (21:08–25:36):
- Airport doctor examines Lars for 40 minutes; Lars is nervous, refuses more medication after his experience with Cefzil 500.
- An unidentified man peers into the doctor’s office—Lars panics, leaves to use the bathroom, never returns.
Strange Security Footage:
- CCTV shows Lars sprinting, jumping an 8-foot airport fence, running into a sunflower field and vanishing into the forest (25:36).
- Airport footage is missing or cropped, with key segments unavailable or delayed to investigators.
Quote [25:36]:
Hannah: “Lars then checks his back pocket... turns left about five metres away from some police officers, then sprints again... jumps over an eight-foot fence in seconds and sprints through a field...”
5. Post-Disappearance Investigation & Theories
A. Airport and Police Irregularities (27:54):
- Security footage strangely missing or manipulated.
- Doctor’s account of the “mystery man” who opened the consultation door changed multiple times.
- The German lead investigator was misled by Bulgarian authorities.
B. The “Dangerous Doctors” Theory (27:54):
- Shortly after, the German Foreign Office warned travelers of Golden Sands doctors making complex misdiagnoses for profit and threatening to restrict passports/non-payment.
C. Medical/Psychological Theories (29:14 — 34:31):
- Rare side effects of Cefzil 500, especially mixed with alcohol, could cause psychosis or panic.
- Possible undiagnosed head injury/aneurysm could lead to amnesia or erratic behavior.
- Discussion of similar cases of memory loss and living unidentified (37:38).
D. Sightings and Search Efforts (35:03 — 37:38):
- Numerous possible Lars sightings worldwide, none confirmed.
- Largest false lead: Brazilian homeless man, later identified as missing Canadian Anton Pilipa.
- Lars’s mother and private investigator Rainer conducted exhaustive searches using drones, tracker dogs, and radio appeals.
Quote [36:17]:
Mabel: “They had a glimmer of hope when they found an improvised hut in the forest and gave a tracker dog one of Lars jackets to get his scent. But … the dog did seem to be onto something, it lost the trace after a short distance.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the oddity of modern disappearances (39:31):
Hannah: “In 2014 to just go on a lads holiday and to just vanish... Let’s just always have an AirTag... People can just go missing and you’re just like a needle in a haystack.” -
On the pain and persistence of Lars’ family (37:08):
Mabel: “They contacted every TV station, radio station and newspaper to get their message out as far as they possibly could...” -
On the fate of Lars (39:23):
Mabel: “I think the most likely scenario is that he did just have some sort of panic attack and legged it, and God knows what happened to him after that.”
Timeline & Timestamps for Key Segments
- Background on Lars: 04:06–06:39
- Incident at the Bar: 06:42–07:58
- Alleged Assault/Medical Issues: 08:01–09:32
- Antibiotic Issue & Doctor's Visit: 09:32–11:00
- Suspicious Hotel Events & Panic Calls: 11:00–17:20
- Hiding/Escalating Paranoia: 17:20–19:44
- Varna Airport & Doctor Consultation: 19:44–25:36
- Security Footage and Airport Irregularities: 25:36–27:54
- Medical, Psychological, and Local Corruption Theories: 27:54–34:31
- Search Efforts and Ongoing Investigation: 35:03–37:38
- Final Analysis and Reflections: 39:23–41:11
Episode Tone
The conversation is equal parts empathetic, matter-of-fact, and darkly humorous, as is signature for RedHanded. The hosts frequently commiserate about travel anxieties and bureaucratic horror stories, but always circle back to the tragedy and mystery haunting Lars Mittank’s loved ones.
Conclusion
This episode tackles the frustratingly unresolved enigma of Lars Mittank—an ordinary young man who vanished under extraordinary circumstances. It artfully balances compassion for his family’s torment, genuine curiosity, and the eerie details that make this disappearance a hotbed for speculation. The hosts remind listeners that Lars's case remains open and encourage continued awareness and vigilance, holding out hope that answers may still one day emerge.
If you believe you may have seen Lars Mittank or have information, the episode urges you to contact the dedicated Facebook page organized by his family and investigators.