Alpentod - Tiefe Schluchten (2026)

Chief Inspector Birgit Reincke and Inspector Jonas Becker are assigned to investigate the disappearance of Laurenzo Paloni, a BKA informant and undercover agent, together with Barbara Brunner of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). Before the search begins, Reincke is called to another accident scene, while Becker initially stays in the gorge. A charred body has been found in the remains of a burned-down wooden house. Wenzel Hölzner suspects it is his cousin Theo, who lived there with his wife, Natalie, and was planning to repair the gas boiler. Theo had run guided tours in the gorge through his company. The investigators once again call in forensic archaeologist Dr. Marie Sonnleitner from Salzburg, who determines that an accelerant was used. She also finds traces of blood that do not match the victim’s DNA. The victim’s neck was broken before the body was placed in the fire. Before Theo’s death, Wenzel had argued with him over Natalie; Wenzel had caught her with Theo’s employee, Sandro Freuler. Natalie and Sandro deny having an affair, but Reincke herself sees them kissing. Theo’s company car is later found burned out as well, also with traces of an accelerant. From the burn marks, the investigators conclude that the victim may have died as early as the previous day. While searching for Theo’s protective gear to obtain a DNA sample, Becker and Sonnleitner are locked in, and someone starts a fire, but the two manage to get to safety. Gas cylinders are found at all three fire scenes. Alongside the Theo Hölzner murder investigation and the Laurenzo Paloni missing-person case, Xaver Diehl is investigating a credit card fraud case; according to Brunner, the three cases are connected. At Natalie Hölzner’s, the investigators find a hidden forgery workshop where, among other things, passports and other identity documents were being forged. Natalie is arrested. A DNA comparison eventually establishes that the dead man is not Theo Hölzner but Laurenzo Paloni. Sandro and Natalie wanted to cut Theo out of their joint forgery business. Theo confesses to killing Paloni after Paloni discovered their illegal activities.