A Honeymoon turns deadly: The Inca Trail Tragedy

In 1997, what began as a romantic honeymoon on the famed inca Trail in Peru ended in tragedy when German cancer researcher Ursula was fatally shot in her tent. Her husband, Jona, an Israeli national, claimed they were attacked, but inconsistencies in his story soon raised suspicions. The new ARD series, Murder on the Inca Path, meticulously recreates this intricate case, showcasing the dedication required to uncover the truth.

From Peru to Munich: An Examination Spanning Years

The four-part series dramatizes the real-life investigation that led to Jona’s conviction for murder. initially, the investigation faced numerous obstacles, including diplomatic sensitivities and a lack of concrete evidence. Though, a resolute Munich investigator, Rita Berg, refused to let the case go cold. Three years after Ursula’s death, the trial against the husband began in Munich. after a lengthy legal battle, he was found guilty of murder.

Mika Kallwass and director Nina Wolfrum, guided by Rolf Basedow’s compelling scripts, bring this story to life with meticulous attention to detail.

Unraveling the Truth: Insurance Fraud and International Intrigue

Commissioner Rita Berg, portrayed by Nina Gummich, becomes suspicious when Jona attempts to collect on ursula’s life insurance policy. Despite pressure from her supervisor, Josef Wilfling (Juergen Maurer), who fears diplomatic repercussions, Rita, along with her colleague Jens Auer (Florian Karlheim), embarks on a relentless pursuit of justice, taking their investigation across international borders. Even though Jona maintains his innocence, Rita amasses a wealth of circumstantial evidence, but she needs irrefutable proof to secure a conviction.

The Making of a True Crime Drama: Research and authenticity

Producer Martin Zimmermann revealed that the inspiration for the TV project came from an article in the specialist magazine The Criminalist, where the then-head of the Munich Murder Commission described the case as the moast complex he had ever encountered.

Nina Gummich emphasized the investigator’s unwavering commitment to justice as a key factor in solving the case. I think she is concerned with the desire for justice. She has the urge that someone should take duty for what he is doing and that he shouldn’t get away with it, Gummich told the german Press Agency.

Gummich’s readiness for the role included reading the extensive 162-page court ruling. It was written so detailed that you could almost sell it as a novel, I think. We couldn’t put as many indications as they collected as they collected. Of course, I know a lot more than what we could show. And yes, if you read that, there is no question open whether there was somehow a mistake.

The actress also noted the emotional impact of meeting the victim’s family: The whole thing gets a different weight when the relatives suddenly stand in front of you who have witnessed it and may have to live through somehow when they see the film.

Filming Across continents: From Cape Town to Munich

The production team recreated the diverse settings of the story,filming in Cape Town,South Africa,to represent Peru and new York,before moving to Munich for the police and interrogation scenes.

Gummich described the filming experience as adventurous: we shot in Cape Town in October, November and December 2023 – almost everything, including the scenes from Peru and New York. Later we shot the police and interrogation scenes in Munich.

She added, Other country, different customs, other food, different climate, other people.We had a giant team, very internationally. Reflecting on the experience, she concluded, We had a bit of the time of our lives.