18+: Remains of Hungarian boy missing for 24 years confirmed through DNA testing
In early August, a significant breakthrough was made in a decades-old missing person case when police discovered the remains of a child buried on a rural property. On 28 May 2000, 11-year-old Tamás Till set out from his family’s home in Baja on his bicycle, heading to a local wildlife park to go horseback riding. He was expected to return home by 1 PM, but tragically, he never did. Since then, over 500 people have been questioned in the investigation. The boy’s bicycle was found in an orchard on 17 September 2000, but no other clues emerged for the next 24 years.
The eerie story of Tamás Till
This past June, authorities received a tip from a former resident of a Baja children’s home, Infostart reports. The individual revealed that another former resident, Péter K., had claimed to have helped bury a child’s body at the property of a Baja businessman named József V. in 2000.
Péter K. reportedly assisted in this act either for money or under threat. József V. had previously employed local youths for various construction and maintenance tasks around his property. Upon investigating the location, police discovered a child’s remains beneath a concrete floor. Based on distinctive clothing and anatomical details, they initially identified the remains as likely belonging to Tamás Till.
The investigation has now been reopened as a homicide case. Unfortunately, authorities are unable to question either Péter K. or József V., as Péter died by suicide in 2011, and József in 2021, as we previously reported HERE.
DNA analysis confirmed suspicions
On Tuesday, Gábor Kovács, deputy chief of the Bács-Kiskun County Police Department, announced that the forensic results from the National Forensic and Research Center had confirmed the identity of the remains.
“The DNA analysis conclusively proves that the skeletal remains belong to 11-year-old Tamás Till, who disappeared in Baja on 28 May 2000. Based on forensic analysis, it has been determined that the boy died as a result of violence, and his death was the result of foul play. Therefore, we are pursuing a homicide investigation against an unknown suspect,” Kovács stated. He added that any new information would be shared with the public as the investigation progressed.
According to earlier reports, it is highly likely that József V. was responsible for the boy’s death. However, it remains unclear whether he accidentally struck the boy with his car or deliberately killed him. If the latter is confirmed, the case will remain open. Otherwise, the statute of limitations has expired.
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