The shocking murder of 16-year-old Maya from Mława moved all of Poland. What are the latest findings from investigators, and what do we already know about this case?
Missing Maya – the beginning of drama
On April 23, 2025, 16-year-old Maya left home in Mława, informing her mother that she was seeing a friend. She never came home. The search for the girl lasted a week, involving family, police and the entire local community. Her body was found on May 1st in the bushes by the railway tracks thanks to the work of a police dog.
Key findings of the investigation
Suspect detained in Greece
Suspect of murder is a 17-year-old Mława resident, a friend of the victim. The boy was detained in Greece during a school trip – all thanks to the rapid release of the European Arrest Warrant and international police cooperation.
The course of tragic events
The murder probably occurred on the evening of April 23rd, during a meeting of Maya with the suspect.
The girl's body was found in a hard-to-access, overgrown area, indicating deliberate cover-up.
Key evidence is the surveillance footage from the city and private surveillance that helped quickly identify the perpetrator.
What do we know about motive and circumstances?
Investigators have revealed that the cause of death was multiple head injuries caused by blunt force trauma. The D.A. intends to charge a 17-year-old with murder with particular cruelty. The girl's family told the media that traces of burns and mutilations were found on Maya's body, which further shook public opinion.
Mental violence in the background of tragedy – an important social context
In the case of the murder of 16-year-old Maya of Mława, a thread of mental violence appeared, which sheds new light on the drama of young people. According to the social media coverage, the suspect Bartek G. was to be persecuted and ridiculed for years by his peers – even the so-called "hat page" was created on Instagram, where his photos and offensive comments were published. Although these reports do not explain the crime itself, they show how serious long - term hate and pressure can have among teenagers. Mental violence, often trivialized, can lead to tragedy, and its victims are not always able to seek help. Experts stress that in such situations responsibility can rest not only on the perpetrator but also on those who have been persecuted for years. This is an important signal to react earlier and not underestimate the signals of violence among young people.
Any of you follow up on the murder of 16-year-old Maya from Mława? If not, short summary: The course of events of the disappearance of Maja Kowalski: • April 23rd.19:40Maya's going out to meet her friend Bartek G. He says to his parents: "If I have a fight with him, I will be there in five minutes, and if not, in about half an hour." • April 23rd, c.20:00Maya's trying to contact her friend, but she's not answering. She sends an urgent message, and then her phone is turned off. • April 24th, hour.1:00and6:00in the morning – there are logins from Maja's phone near the parents' company Bartek G. Then the trail ends. • April 30 – Maya's phone is found on the tracks in the evening. The site was previously searched by police, family, tracking dogs and drones. Everyone is convinced that the phone was not there earlier – it may have been dumped. • On 1 May, in the morning, it appears that Maya's body was found in a homicidal state in a garbage container. Her 17-year-old colleague, who she last saw, Bartek G., was detained, who went to Greece for a trade. At the same time, it was reported that the boy had been hated and persecuted by a group of teenagers since at least 2021 – then the so-called "Hate Page" was created on Instagram. So the profile where his photos were published and mocked. The more I read about it, the more questions I have. Which is why I think it's best to wait for the police and the D.A.'s findings. What is certain is a great tragedy. Maya was 16 and her whole life ahead of her. There is no excuse for taking another man's life. But if this boy has been persecuted for years, it must also be taken seriously. Mental violence among youths can lead to drama. Kids can be cruel. Most of us struggled in our youth with hate – more or less. But not everyone can handle it. I'm not explaining this crime. But if it is confirmed that someone has led to systematic psychological abuse, then they too should be held responsible
in the morning – there are logins from Maja's phone near the parents' company Bartek G. Then the trail ends. • April 30 – Maya's phone is found on the tracks in the evening. The site was previously searched by police, family, tracking dogs and drones. Everyone is convinced that the phone was not there earlier – it may have been dumped. • On 1 May, in the morning, it appears that Maya's body was found in a homicidal state in a garbage container. Her 17-year-old colleague, who she last saw, Bartek G., was detained, who went to Greece for a trade. At the same time, it was reported that the boy had been hated and persecuted by a group of teenagers since at least 2021 – then the so-called "Hate Page" was created on Instagram. So the profile where his photos were published and mocked. The more I read about it, the more questions I have. Which is why I think it's best to wait for the police and the D.A.'s findings. What is certain is a great tragedy. Maya was 16 and her whole life ahead of her. There is no excuse for taking another man's life. But if this boy has been persecuted for years, it must also be taken seriously. Mental violence among youths can lead to drama. Kids can be cruel. Most of us struggled in our youth with hate – more or less. But not everyone can handle it. I'm not explaining this crime. But if it is confirmed that someone has led to systematic psychological abuse, then they too should be held responsibleWe continue to read a summary of the Mława case.
The procedure of extradition of a suspect from Greece to Poland is already ongoing and may take up to 60 days. The results of the autopsy and the interrogation of the detainee after his return will be crucial.
Key findings in points
16-year-old Maya disappeared on April 23, body was found on May 1st.
Suspect 17-year-old was detained in Greece – he was a friend of the victim.
