Katharina Buczek
Their host, who was a middle-aged Goral woman, also claimed that she never actually saw Anna or Ernestyna leave. Apparently, the host had been in another building, and she only contacted the local Mountain Rescue Services after realizing that the girls had never returned to their room that night.
So, after Anna and Ernestyna’s parents learned of the disappearance, they immediately called for search efforts.
Police officers were deployed in Koscieliska and surrounding areas to search for the girls; meanwhile, a helicopter equipped with a thermovision camera was also used.
Sadly, though, none of these efforts ever yielded any results. This pushed investigators to suspect that Anna and Ernestyna had possibly crossed the border to Slovakia and run away. But, this theory was short-lived, considering that all of their needed documentation and funds were left behind.
Instead, two other theories surfaced. The first involved an international trafficking ring that was operating in Eastern Europe around 1993.
After authorities looked into this possible explanation for the girl’s disappearance, though, no evidence was found.
And the second theory actually involved the host’s son– who reportedly threatened Ernestyna after she did not show any romantic interest in him.
Police confirmed that the son’s alibi was solid, though, and a search of the host’s house revealed no evidence of foul play.
Interestingly, though, after police canvassed both Koscieliska and Zakopane for witnesses, no one claimed to have seen the girls on the day they disappeared. The only person with a confirmed sighting was the host– who saw them that morning.
So, with a severe lack of leads, Anna and Ernestyna’s cases saw no progress for about two and a half months. Then, one night, Anna’s stepfather’s car was broken into.
