Prosecutor Eryk Stasielak discusses the 16-year-old mystery of Iwona Wieczorek’s disappearance, confirming the dominant theory that she was murdered.
The Iwona Wieczorek Case
The disappearance of Iwona Wieczorek is one of the most moving and longest-unsolved criminal cases in Poland. It has been 16 years since the 19-year-old vanished while traveling from Sopot to Gdańsk. Despite the work of the best specialists, it is still not known exactly what happened on the morning of July 17, 2010. Recently, the case has returned to the front pages of the media. The reason was the actions of investigators on Polna Street in Sopot.
Archive X Chief: One Dominating Theory
“Fakt” spoke with Prosecutor Eryk Stasielak, head of the Małopolski Branch Office of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption in Kraków, commonly known as the prosecutor’s Archive X. The dominant theory is that Iwona Wieczorek is dead and has been murdered. Taking into account the actual circumstances and life experience, there is little probability that Iwona is still alive. He adds that “people don’t just disappear like that.”
At the same time, Stasielak notes that investigators are not closing themselves off to any scenario, although reality makes it necessary to focus on the most difficult variant.
Rumors of Remains Found? Prosecutor Denies
In recent days, information appeared online that police had conducted an operation on one of the Sopot properties and found remains that could belong to Iwona Wieczorek. The prosecutor strongly denies this. It is not true that remains have been found and are being examined.
Stasielak emphasizes: “We are doing everything we can to establish, if indeed as the dominant version says, that Iwona is dead, then we are doing everything we can to establish where her body is, where her remains are.”
New Investigative Actions. “A Matter of Weeks, Not Days”
Although the details remain a mystery, the prosecutor confirms that investigators are preparing for further actions. The actions will be conducted in Sopot and somewhere else, but where, he cannot say. He also cannot reveal what specific actions they are planning, as this depends on their outcome.
Stasielak tells “Fakt”: “These actions are a matter of weeks, not days.” He emphasizes that revealing details could jeopardize the success of the investigation. When asked if investigators actually have information about where the woman’s remains might be, he cryptically responded: “I cannot confirm, nor can I deny.”
White Fiat Still of Interest
One of the threads that has stirred emotions for years is the white Fiat, which police had reported on. Officers continue to appeal to anyone who may have information about its driver. When asked if they have identified the driver, Stasielak responded: “Indeed, we are taking action in this direction, however, whether we have identified and interrogated him or not, I cannot say.”
What Were Investigators Doing on Polna Street in Sopot?
On January 14, media attention was drawn to police actions on Polna Street in Sopot, where tents and officers in white protective suits appeared. Stasielak denies that these actions were related to the Iwona Wieczorek case, stating it was a “pure coincidence in time.”
He explained: “The actions concerned the disappearance of two teenagers in Zakopane many years ago.” The prosecutor also appealed to anyone with information about this case, emphasizing that protection can be provided if someone fears to testify.
How Iwona Wieczorek Disappeared
Iwona Wieczorek disappeared on the morning of July 17, 2010. After leaving a Sopot club, she was walking home to Gdańsk along the seaside route. At 4:12, she was recorded by a surveillance camera in Jelitkowo, less than 2.5 km from home. This is the last certain trace of the 19-year-old.
