Murderer Benjamin Fricke escapes prison outing on motorcycle, German police warn public

How the escape unfolded

On Tuesday, June 16, Fricke was on his 38th accompanied outing since September 2023, visiting his mother in Peine-Vöhrum. Around 2:30 p.m., while in a garage near the residence, he got on his own motorcycle (a black and orange KTM Duke 200 with license plate BS-XY 46) and drove away, outpacing the prison officer who was with him.

“After initial findings, the inmate used a stay in a nearby garage around 2:30 p.m. to leave on his motorcycle, which was stored in that garage.”

The ministry confirmed that the previous 37 outings had passed without incident.

Manhunt and public warning

The State Criminal Police Office (LKA) of Lower Saxony issued a public appeal on Wednesday, distributing a photograph, name, and description of the fugitive. Fricke is 1.92 meters tall, weighs about 130 kilograms, has short hair, a ducktail beard, and was last seen in a black motorcycle jacket, a black Metallica T‑shirt with silver‑green lettering, black cargo pants, and black shoes.

“A danger to third parties can proceed from Benjamin Fricke. A concrete danger to the cities of Peine and Kassel does not exist, however.”

Witnesses are asked not to approach or address him, but to call emergency number 110. Investigators believe he may be in the cities of Peine or Kassel.

The original crime

Fricke has been in custody since October 2010 for the murder of 23‑year‑old florist Melanie R. According to earlier reports, he lured her to his apartment by pretending online to be a young woman, then killed her and abused her corpse. In 2011, the Hildesheim Regional Court convicted him of murder and attempted aggravated rape, imposing a life sentence and noting the particular severity of his guilt. Last year, a court set a minimum term of 19 years before parole eligibility.

The prison leave program

The German prison system allows accompanied leave for inmates who have demonstrated good conduct. Fricke had been granted such leave 37 times without incident, raising questions about the security protocol for a man serving a life sentence for a violent crime. The justice ministry said he used a previously unremarkable visit to his mother’s home to access a motorcycle that had been stored in a garage.