Even 25 years after the unexplained death of the manager of the Kastelruther Spatzen, the famous folk musicians do not give up hope of a clarification. One continues to hope for clues that could uncover the mysterious death of Karl-Heinz Gross, said his brother Albin Gross in an interview with the German Press Agency. The reward of 50,000 Deutschmarks for information that was suspended at the time is still valid today, converted into 25,000 euros. “Bild” had previously reported.
On March 6, 1998, the then manager of the South Tyrolean music group, Karl-Heinz Gross, was found in Magdeburg with severe head injuries. The 39-year-old died in the hospital that same evening. The case has not yet been resolved. The police in Magdeburg currently have no new investigative approaches in the unsolved case, as a spokeswoman said on Friday when asked. However, the officials are grateful for new information and would follow them up.
The brother hopes that after a long time a witness might come forward when he is called again. In Magdeburg, Albin Gross was told at the time that the case would only be reopened if there were new indications. “We never gave up that hope,” emphasizes Gross, who is also the group’s keyboardist and songwriter.
The memory of the brother’s unexplained death has flared up again after such a long time, as the music group is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and is going on tour. You don’t just want to remember the successes of the group, but also the low points. The song “You were like a brother” dedicated to him will be played there. “We owe that to my brother, in memory of him,” said Albin Gross.
To this day, the family meets every year on March 6 to commemorate Karl-Heinz Gross. “It’s part of our Catholic faith and customs,” said Albin Gross. This year, however, the anniversary of his death was celebrated in a special way. The whole family met after a mass and spent the day together. “It’s a shame that he wasn’t able to see his grandchildren. The family keeps growing and doesn’t stand still.”
The group from the town of Kastelruth near Bozen in South Tyrol has been one of the most well-known figures in the folk music business for many years. Among other things, the musicians recorded 13 echoes and several gold and platinum records.
Website of the Kastelruther Spatzen
