The Midnight Killer Mischa Ebner: A dark chapter in Swiss sporting history

The story of Mischa Ebner, a once promising Swiss athlete who later became a murderer, reveals the depths that can lurk behind a seemingly normal life. Mischa Ebner was born in 1975 and grew up in an environment marked by neglect and abuse. These are the cornerstones of a biography that is reflected in tragic twists and turns. Mischa Ebner and his older brother Alex were found in a state of neglect at only four and six years of age. The two children were victims of their parents, who were unable to care for them properly. Mischa was so severely delayed in his motor development that he could not yet walk properly, while Alex could not even speak. Both children were a shocking example of the cruel reality that many children in similar circumstances have to endure. In 1979, both brothers were adopted, which meant a new chance at a better life for both of them. Mischa’s adoptive mother later reported that her son channeled his anger and pain through endurance sports. Sport became not only a hobby for Mischa, but also a way to fight his inner demons and express his emotions. At the age of 23, Mischa Ebner managed to take first place in the famous Frauenfeld military marching competition. This event could have been the start of a successful sporting career. His brother Alex accompanied him on his magnificent military run by bicycle—a moment that was both proud and painful. Three days after this triumph, Alex took his own life, which was a devastating emotional blow for Mischa and had a significant impact on the rest of his life. In the years that followed, Mischa Ebner continued to build his life as a chef and athlete. He worked in various restaurants and eventually found a job at the “Goldener Schlüssel” in Bern’s old town. At first glance, he seemed to live a harmonious and integrated life. He trained at the 95 Burgdorf running club and enjoyed recognition as an athlete. But beneath the surface, deeper problems were simmering. On the night of August 1, 2002, Switzerland’s national holiday, the unimaginable happened: within a very short time, two women were seriously injured with a knife in Bern-Bümpliz and Niederwangen. One of these women, a 20-year-old high school graduate, did not survive the attack. The shock of this brutal incident reverberated throughout Switzerland. Soon after, the police received tips and reports that pointed to a clear description of the perpetrator. With handwritten letters addressed to the victims and the police, Mischa Ebner gradually led investigators to himself. In these letters, he expressed his view of the crimes and at the same time linked personal belongings of the victims to himself. The investigation intensified and a composite sketch, deliberately created to resemble an unshaven man, was intended to provoke Ebner and provide further clues. Confronted with the evidence, Ebner confessed not only to the murder, but also to a total of 29 other crimes involving extensive use of violence. The police noted an escalation in his violent outbursts. A psychiatric evaluation made it clear that Ebner could not easily be pigeonholed. After his arrest, Ebner attempted to commit suicide in the remand prison in Bern. Although he was monitored hourly from then on and housed in a shared cell, he managed to take his own life three months later in his cell at Thun Regional Prison. This tragic outcome raises questions about prison management and the psychological care of high-risk inmates. The reporting on the case of Mischa Ebner caused considerable controversy in Switzerland. After the police announced his name as a suspect, debates flared up about whether such a disclosure was justified. Critics argued that this violated the presumption of innocence and could jeopardize Ebner’s chances of rehabilitation. The Swiss Press Council addressed this issue and concluded that, in this specific case, naming him was not in line with journalistic standards and the principle of presumption of innocence. Mischa Ebner’s story is a striking example of how complex and multifaceted the human psyche can be. From a talented athlete who had found his place in society, he developed into a man whose life ended in a brutal crime. His actions raise questions not only about individual responsibility, but also about social structures and the failure to give children in difficult circumstances the support and help they need. Even though Mischa Ebner’s name remains associated with a cruel crime, it is important to look at the background and history in order to better understand the tragedy of his fate.