Newborn Found on Mount Mudeung Trail Remains Unsolved After Two Years
It has been two years since a newborn, estimated to be about two weeks old, was discovered on a hiking trail on Mount Mudeung, yet authorities have failed to identify even a single suspect, leaving the case shrouded in mystery.
According to Yonhap News on the 5th, on March 5, 2023, a hiker found the body of a newborn, believed to be around two weeks old, near Gunwang Peak in Duam-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju.
An autopsy revealed that the cause of death was hypothermia.
The child had no name, birth registration records, or temporary newborn number, making it impossible to prove their existence. Ultimately, the baby was given a nameless burial as an unclaimed body, and their remains now rest alone at Yeongnak Park in Gwangju.
The police launched an investigation, but the only clue was an empty beer can that was found alongside the baby. They collected DNA from the beer can to aid in their investigation, but it did not match the newborn’s DNA.
Despite extensive investigations, no suspects were identified.
In this case, where the possibility of third-party involvement beyond the parents was raised, the police conducted thorough inquiries into regional obstetrics and gynecology records, a list of mothers who had recently given birth, and individuals who accessed the hiking trail. However, they could not name a single suspect.
Investigations in pursuit of the child's last traces expanded in various directions, yet no leads could be found regarding the case.
Ultimately, the case was categorized as a "managed unsolved case," which means it will not be completely closed but rather documentation will be kept until new leads arise.
According to Yonhap News, a police official involved in the investigation at the time stated, “The nature of the hiking trail attracts many people, and there were limitations in identifying the perpetrator through closed-circuit television (CCTV).”
They emphasized, “If anyone has information regarding this case, please inform the police so that the injustice of the child's death can be fully clarified.”
Image source: ai image for better understanding of the article / bing image creator, stock photo for better understanding of the article / gettyimagesbank
