Family of murdered backpacker last seen alive on ferry from Scotland hope inquest will deliver answers

The family of 18-year-old German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser, who was murdered in Northern Ireland in April 1988, is hopeful that a new inquest will finally provide answers about her death. Inga’s body was found in a remote forest in Co Antrim 14 days after she was last seen alive on a ferry from Scotland. The case remains one of the region’s most notorious unsolved murders.

Coroner Joe McCrisken recently presided over a pre-inquest review hearing to prepare for the fresh inquest into Inga’s death. Inga’s sister Friederike was present at the hearing via videolink. The family’s barrister, Malachy McGowan, expressed gratitude for the decision to proceed with the probe, as the family has been seeking closure for decades. Mr. McCrisken reassured the family that efforts would be made to uncover the truth behind Inga’s death.

Before her murder, Inga had travelled through England and Scotland with plans to head south to Dublin after arriving at Larne in Co Antrim. However, she was found dead in a different direction two weeks later in Ballypatrick Forest. Despite a male genetic profile being found at the murder scene, extensive DNA testing in the past did not lead to a conclusive match. In 2018, after several arrests were made, insufficient evidence hindered prosecution of suspects.

Outside the court, the family’s solicitor, Claire McKeegan, conveyed the family’s desire for justice and closure. The late SDLP Assembly member John Dallat played a key role in seeking justice for Inga, with his daughter, SDLP councillor Helena Dallat O’Driscoll, continuing to advocate for the case. Amid the formal commencement of the inquest proceedings for Inga, family members of another murder victim, Lisa Dorrian, were also in attendance.

The next review hearing for Inga Maria Hauser’s case is scheduled for January 22, as the family and supporters eagerly await progress in shedding light on the tragic murder that has haunted them for decades.

**Insights and Summary:**

The story of Inga Maria Hauser’s murder is a tragic one that has remained unsolved for over three decades, leaving her family craving closure and justice. The inquest proceedings provide a glimmer of hope that long-awaited answers may finally come to light. The dedication of the family and their legal representatives in seeking the truth demonstrates the enduring impact of unresolved crimes on loved ones. The support from the community and officials in pursuing justice for Inga is a testament to the importance of closure and accountability in such cases. As the legal process unfolds, there is a shared anticipation for a resolution that can bring solace to those affected by this heinous crime.