Brutal rapist caught in Leipzig's Rosental after almost 8 years!

Brutal rapist caught in Leipzig's Rosental after almost 8 years!

A 33-year-old man who became known as a brutal rapist in Leipzig's Rosental has been caught after almost eight years on the run. Police arrested him on Thursday after issuing an arrest warrant. This refers to several serious sexual offenses, including particularly serious rape and attempted rape. The man was already noticed in February 2023 during a theft in a hardware store, where he stole grill cleaner and a kitchen knife.

The identification of the perpetrator was advanced through the analysis of DNA traces. These matched confirmed material from other cases that were previously considered unsolved. The attack on a 69-year-old jogger on August 31, 2017 was particularly serious: she was attacked, beaten and raped by the perpetrator, causing her to suffer serious injuries and requiring emergency surgery.

A serial criminal?

The investigation also revealed that the suspect is connected to two other attacks: an incident at Lake Cospuden in April 2016 and a sexual assault in Eutritzsch in March 2017. The crimes caused a lot of media coverage and uncertainty among the population at the time. Two private individuals even offered a bounty of 5,000 euros each on the wanted criminal.

Although the man did not attract attention for several years after the crimes in 2017, he finally came to attention because of the theft. Previously he had only been convicted of shoplifting. It is currently being investigated whether he is connected to other unsolved sexual crimes. The investigators also focused on a possible gerontophilic tendency of the perpetrator. It remains questionable whether his partner knew about his actions; So far he has remained silent about the allegations.

Social relevance

Sexual crimes such as rape and sexual assault have been in focus in Germany for years, as the numbers recorded are continually increasing. Around 128,000 cases were registered in 2024, indicating increasing sensitivity among the population and a greater willingness to report. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, girls and young women are among the most vulnerable groups, with around 91 percent of victims being female. These framework conditions show how important it is to tackle issues such as sexual violence proactively and to promote appropriate awareness campaigns. Statista emphasizes the need to push back traditional thought patterns and behavior.

The suspect Marcus L. is currently in custody at the Leinestrasse JVA in Leipzig and could face further charges in the near future.