Woman in ‘wild boar attack’ may have been murdered, police say

A woman found dead beside a cycle path after what appeared to be a boar attack may have been murdered, police say.

Dina Gärtner, 40, was discovered by a jogger on an asphalt cycle path next to a lake at around 8.30am on Wednesday (7 Oct).

A bicycle was found some distance from her body.

The discovery initially led investigators to examine whether she had died in an accident, with signs of wild boar activity found nearby.

But forensic findings have since raised suspicions of foul play, and police say a homicide cannot be ruled out.

Woman found dead in German park initially thought to be wild boar attack may have been murdered, police say. Forensic findings raise homicide suspicions. — *Dina Gärtner. (Picture: Jam Press)*

The case has now been taken over by specialist detectives, while forensics collected at the scene are being analysed, as reported by Need To Know.

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses who may have seen Dina during the hours leading up to the discovery of her body.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw a woman wearing a distinctive yellow jacket and riding a bicycle between midnight and 8.30am on Wednesday.

The discovery was made near Runstedter See, between Großkayna and Braunsbedra, in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Dina’s identity has been established, but investigators have not confirmed how she died or whether the bicycle found close to the scene belonged to her.

Local reports said Dina, who came from the nearby town of Braunsbedra, was last seen late on Tuesday evening (6 Oct), before her body was discovered the following morning.

Her best friend, Jenny Zienert, has launched a fundraising appeal to help cover the costs of her funeral, memorial service, gravestone and flowers.