TIMELINE: THE WEISFEILER CASE

a guide to the key events, legal and political issues related to the January 1985 disappearance in Chile of a U.S. citizen, Boris Weisfeiler

March - April 2007
Ministro Jorge Zepeda recorrió trayecto que hizo matemático Boris Weisfeiler antes de desaparecer
La Tercera, April 8

Judge Jorge Zepeda of the Santiago court of Appeals and his investigating team were traveled through the eighth Region in the proximity of Ex- Colonia Dignidad where judge thinks that the mathematician, Boris Weisfeiler, was before disappearing in 1985. The Judge remained in the zone during 48 hours, time in which he have made series of inquiries. Pinochet’s government maintained that Weisfeiler had simply drowned while hiking near a river. Chile’s Armed Forces have to date remained silent about the issue.

Statement to the press
March 22

U.S. Ambassador Craig Kelly and Dr. Olga Weisfeiler held at the embassy a press conference. The event ended with a statement to the press issued by Weisfeiler family. Dr. Weisfeiler urged anyone with information on the fate of her brother Boris to finally come forward stressing it is now time for the truth to come out.

August 2006
August 2006. Legal Attaché of the U.S. embassy in Santiago, Chile opened a separate criminal investigation into Mr. Weisfeiler's disappearance. The U.S. Department of Justice authorized this action. Since launching its investigation, the Legal Attaché has actively pursued information about the case, both independently and in coordination with the Chilean investigative team.
Chile tapes may shed new light on disappearance of U.S. citizen
The Santiago Times, August 17
The recordings obtained by La Nación were made three months after Weisfeiler’s disappearance on April 2, 1985, and feature a radio conversation between Colonia Dignidad leaders Kurt Schnellenkamp and Gerhard Mücke. They, in coded, abbreviated and rather poor German language, discussed someone's burial inside Colonia’s cemetery. Those events, apparently, were related to disappeared American citizen. (Also see related postings on April 1985 and October 1987)
Grabación se convierte en nueva pista por desaparición de Boris Weisfeiler
La Nación, August 15
Se espera que ahora el ministro Jorge Zepeda pueda retomar esta hebra del caso y que interrogue y confronte a los ex jerarcas Mücke y Schnellenkamp para obtener la información del real sentido del diálogo captado por un radioaficionado.
June 2006
El CDE decidió entrar como querellante en caso Weisfeiler
La Nación, June 13

During her first diplomatic visit to the U.S., President Michelle Bachelet meets in Washington D.C. with relatives of disappeared U.S. citizen Boris Weisfeiler, sister Dr. Olga Weisfeiler and his niece, Anna Weisfeiler. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) mention the case in a meeting the day before Bachelet met with the Weisfeilers. The Defense Counsel of the Chilean State joins the case of disappearance of U.S. citizen Boris Weisfeiler as a plaintiff, Pesident Bachelet assured the family and Nancy Pelosi.

April 2006
U.S. Ambassador Meets with Weisfeiler Judge
The Santiago Times, April 20
As part of the FBI's new investigation into the disappearance of American citizen Boris Weisfeiler, U.S. Ambassador Craig Kelly met with Jorge Zepeda, the judge in charge of human rights investigations at Colonia Dignidad. During the meeting Mr. Kelly reiterates the U.S. government’s interest in resolving the case of the disappeared American.
March 2006
Press Conference on Boris Weisfeiler Disappearance
U.S. embassy, March 31
The U.S. Ambassador to Chile, Craig Kelly, and Mrs. Olga Weisfeiler held a joint-press conference to reinforce the investigation into the 1985 disappearance of U.S. citizen Boris Weisfeiler. The press conference was held at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile. Finding out what happened to Weisfeiler is a "high priority" for the American government, Ambassador Kelly said.
CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE: By-partisan congressional letter to President of Chile Bachelet
March 23
A bi-partisan group of 27 U.S. Senators and Representatives, including Sens. Edward Kennedy, Arlen Specter, John Kerry, Rick Santorum, and Robert Menendez, wrote a formal letter of inquiry to the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet regarding the fate of long-time missing Penn State professor Boris Weisfeiler, requesting that President Bachelet presses a renewed investigation and resolve the fate of Professor Weisfeiler. The letter was crafted by U.S. Rep. John E. Peterson, R-PA.
New leader to prioritize search for lost professor
The Collegian (PSU, Pennsylvania), March 17, 2006
A missing Penn State professor, Boris Weisfeiler, was a topic of discussion between U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and new Chilean President Michelle Bachelet when Rice attended the inauguration of Chilean President Bachelet. Rice emphasized the importance that the U.S. government attaches to this case.
CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE: LETTER TO SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE
March 8, 2006
In the letter organized by Representative Barney Frank and addressed to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice 14 members of Congress urge Secretary of State Rice to ask President Bachelet about the Weisfeiler case.
CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE: LETTER TO PRESIDENT-ELECT BACHELET
March 6, 2006
Pennsylvania Congressman John E. Peterson sends a letter to newly elected President of Chile Michelle Bachelet asking her for a renewed focus on the case of Dr. Weisfeiler. The Congressman asks that the Chilean government "provide access to all information and relevant files pertaining to the disappearance of Dr. Weisfeiler."
February 2006
February 3. Seven months after the initial request, the U.S. Embassy receives a response from the Government of Chile. The note, prepared by Judge Zepeda and dated December 2, 2005, reads (as translated here from the Spanish): "In the Second Civil Court of San Carlos there is no registration of having received said items, there is no evidence of the reception of mentioned items. ... It has been impossible to clarify at the Second Court of San Carlos the destiny of documentation, money and personal belongings of Boris Weisfeiler." No explanation is given for the sale of Weisfeiler's belongings.
February 1, 2006. To date, President Lagos's office has not replied to Congressman Peterson's letters. Nor has the Government of Chile replied to the diplomatic note sent in July 2005 by the U.S. Embassy regarding the apparent sale of some of Professor Weisfeiler's belongings.
January 2006
CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE: LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
January 23, 2006
Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum writes a letter to the Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs Jeffrey T. Bergner requesting “an update from the Department on the status of Dr. Weisfeiler and a description of activities undertaken by the Department of State and U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile relative to his disappearance.”
August – December 2005
DEPARTMENT OF STATE CORRESPONDENCE: STATUS OF BORIS’ WEISFEILER DISAPPERANCE CASE INVESTIGATION
December 12, 2005
In a letter addressed to Congressman John Peterson, Assistant Secretary of State for legislative Affairs Jeffrey T. Bergner reassures Congressman Peterson that “Boris Weisfeiler’s disappearance remains a priority concern to the U.S. Government and to the Department of State in particular.”
CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE: LETTER TO PRESIDENT LAGOS
November 21, 2005
In his third letter addressed to President of Chile Ricardo Lagos Escobar, Rep. Peterson requests “to take the actions necessary in order to resolve” the disappearance of Dr. Weisfeiler and urges the government of Chile to provide access to all information and relevant files surrounding Boris Weisfeiler’s disappearance.
CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE: LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
September 23, 2005
Pennsylvania Congressman John E. Peterson sends a letter to the Department of State, indicating his continued support for the State Department's investigations into the matter of Weisfeiler’s disappearance. Congressman Peterson also requests a status report.
May - July 2005
July 1. The United States Embassy in Santiago sends a diplomatic note to the Government of Chile conveying the Embassy's grave concern over the sale of Weisfeiler's property without any notice either to the U.S. Embassy or to Weisfeiler’s family. An explanation is demanded.
Tribunales "remataron" únicas pruebas del desaparecido norteamericano Boris Weisfeiler
La Segunda, June 15
(click for English)
“La Segunda” reports that Boris Weisfeiler's belongings – a compass, a sleeping bag, a tent, pants, and a backpack – were sold at auction by the Second Criminal Court of San Carlos in September 1999.

At Cult's Enclave in Chile, Guns and Intelligence Files
The New York Times, June 17
A weapons arsenal and intelligence files are found buried in Chile's ex-Colonia Dignidad. The discovery of intelligence files is expected to shed significant light on the dark relationship between the Chilean secret police and its Colonia Dignidad collaborators.

Arrests in Chilean Nazi refuge give hope to missing Jew’s family
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 1
Chilean police arrests Schäfer’s [former chief of Colonia Dignidad] top aides on charges related to the disappearances of political prisoners. “For the first time in the more than four decades of Colonia Dignidad’s existence, it appears the Chilean government is showing the willingness to investigate the sect on charges of torture, disappearances, and numerous other human rights abuses, including the disappearance of Boris Weisfeiler” reported JTA.

March - April 2005

Colonia Dignidad: Unifican causas por violaciones a los DDHH
La Nacion, April 6
The Santiago Supreme Court names the minister of law Judge Jorge Zepeda to head all the cases of human rights violations that took place in the former Colonia Dignidad. The case of Boris Weisfeiler’s disappearance is transferred from Judge Solís to Judge Zepeda.

Policía realizó allanamientos a ex Colonia Dignidad
El Mercurio online, March 24
Consul General Sean Murphy visits Colonia Dignidad. After his arrival in Chile in September 2004, Ambassador Kelly takes active part in attempts to clarify the twenty-year-old case of Weisfeiler’s disappearance. The ambassador and other officers of the U.S. Embassy meet frequently with the investigating judge and other judicial, government, and Carabinero authorities to insure that the Boris Weisfeiler case is thoroughly investigated.

Schafer had hotline to Chile’s Pinochet-era secret police
The Santiago Times, March 23
Sen. Nelson Avila brings to Judge Solís, who is in charge of Weisfeiler’s case, documentation that suggested there was a hotline telephone link between the Pinochet-era secret police (National Intelligence Center, CNI) and the German cult, Colonia Dignidad.

Juez indaga a Schäfer por caso de matemático desaparecido en 1985
La Tercera, March 23
Judge Solís, who is in charge of the investigation, questions ex-leader of Colonia Dignidad Paul Schäfer in Santiago’s High Security prison.

Fugitive Leader of Chilean Sect Is Captured in Argentina
The New York Times, March 12
Paul Schäfer, Chile's most wanted fugitive and a former Nazi and cult leader is captured. He is wanted for human rights violations: a number of political prisoners vanished after being sent to Colonia Dignidad. Paul Schäfer is also wanted for questioning about the 1985 disappearance of Boris Weisfeiler.

November 2004

Familia de Boris Weisfeiler visito Colonia Dignidad
La Segunda, December 2
Searching for her missing brother, Boris’ sister Olga visits Colonia Dignidad. It appears the Weisfeiler name is well known inside Colonia’s gates.

Families of victims fly to Chile demanding Colonia Dignidad investigation
The Santiago Times, November 25
Letters from U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Congressman Barney Frank are presented to President Ricardo Lagos, urging a thorough investigation of Colonia Dignidad and a resolution in the Weisfeiler case.

Caso Weisfeiler: embajador de EE.UU. se reunió con ministro Solís
La Segunda, November 19
U.S. Ambassador Craig Kelly meets with Chilean Judge Alejandro Solís in Santiago. During the meeting Mr. Kelly reiterates the U.S. government’s interest in resolving the case of the disappeared American, Boris Weisfeiler. The U.S. embassy does a special posting on its official web site: "Boris Weisfeiler: Missing in Chile." The posting invites anyone with relevant information to come forward and contact U.S. officials or Chilean authorities.

March 2004

¿Ha visto a este hombre? Did you see this man?
In the search for new information on Boris Weisfeiler’s disappearance, an advertising and publicity campaign is launched in Chile.

Sister of missing American asks Chileans for clues
Reuters, March 5
Olga Weisfeiler holds a press conference at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, asking for information on her brother’s disappearance.

December 2002

Tracing a Mystery of the Missing in Chile
The Washington Post, published 1/18/2003
Early in December, Boris’ sister Olga retraces the tracks of her brother, traveling south with a group of her lawyers to the cities and towns Boris had visited, crossing the Los Sauces river on a cable car and trekking along the river to the place where local farmers say he was last seen.

October 2002

La nueva distribución de causas de detenidos desaparecidos busca agilizar los procesos que permanecían paralizados con el juez Guzmán
24Horas.cl; October 14
The Chilean Supreme Court transfers some human rights cases from Judge Juan Guzmán to other judges, as the progress in 90 group cases under Guzman’ responsibility is minimal. Judge Alejandro Solís Muñoz is named to investigate the Weisfeiler disappearance.

March - May 2002

Chilean Mystery: Clues to Vanished American
The New York Times, May 19
An article on Prof. Weisfeiler disappearance in Chile is published on the front page of the Sunday New York Times. President Lagos agrees to FBI support. In spite of the fact that millions of people in the U.S. had seen the front page story, there was not much reaction either from the American press or the public.

Juez Guzmán tras la huella de Boris Weisfeiler
La Nación (in Spanish), March 15, 2002
Judge Juan Guzmán, responsible for Weisfeiler’s case investigation since October 2000, visits the site where Weisfeiler vanished in 1985.

October - December 2000

Juez Guzmán se reunió con familiares de norteamericano desaparecido
El Mercurio online, December 15
Judge Juan Guzmán Tapia, the special prosecutor in charge of bringing Augusto Pinochet to justice, assumes responsibility for the Weisfeiler investigation. Weisfeiler’s disappearance becomes case number 169 against General Augusto Pinochet. Accusations also brought against Paul Schäfer, a fugitive leader of Colonia Dignidad, and others responsible for Mr. Weisfeiler fate.

Weisfeilers' Family Trip to Chile.
Report; December, 2000
Boris Weisfeiler’s sister and her two children go to Santiago for the first time looking for publicity, support, and information in an effort to accelerate the investigation of Boris’ disappearance.

Caso de Boris Weisfeiler es de ''alta prioridad'' para Embajada de EE.UU.
El Mostrador, December 6
The United States Ambassador O'Leary assures the family that Weisfeiler’s case is of the highest priority for the Embassy and for him personally, promising full cooperation and support for the investigation being conducted by Chilean authorities.

September 2000

Los inquietantes archivos de Colonia Dignidad
El Mostrador, published on October 9, 2000
A police raid led by Judge Ricaro Riquelme of Parral, yields hundreds of file folders with intelligence information on political, military, business, government, and foreign embassies officials. Among them, an almost empty folder labeled “Boris Weisfeiler”. It contains a few old newspaper clips and copy of the 1985 mathematical society's “confidential” report with some notations on it in German. From it attorney Fernandez finds out that Oscar Tapia Duran, the investigator hired in 1985 by the Chilean Mathematical Society, was a former Carabinero discharged from service for corruption.

June 2000

Documents Released On Chilean Slayings
The Washington Post, June 30, 2000
The newly declassified State Department documents related to the 1973 coup in Chile include hundreds of cables and memoranda on the fate of an American hiker, Boris Weisfeiler. Peter Kornbluh, director of the Chile Declassifacation Project at the National Security Archive, calls the Weisfeiler case "a negligence story on the part of the United States that is nothing short of appalling."

January - April 2000

US Seeks "Full Accounting" of 3 Deaths in Chile
The Washington Post, published 19 June 2000
The U.S. State Department formally asks Chilean Foreign Minister Soledad Alvear to conduct a full investigation into the deaths of two U.S. citizens (Charles Horman and Frank Teruggi), the arrest of a third (David Hathaway) and the disappearance of a fourth (Boris Weisfeiler) during the 1973-1990 dictatorship led by Gen. Augusto Pinochet. The State Department demands that the Chilean government mount "a vigorous and thorough investigation aimed at uncovering the facts, and in accordance with Chilean law, prosecuting those responsible."

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2000 - Chile
Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor U.S. Department of State
A Chilean judge rules that a legal investigation into Boris Weisfeiler disappearance is warranted. The case is reopened in the San Carlos Second Criminal Court by attorney Hernan Fernandez who is representing Boris’ family. Judge Angel Esteban Coria Ricotti is assigned to the case.

September 1999

Tribunales "remataron" únicas pruebas del desaparecido norteamericano Boris Weisfeiler
La Segunda
Weisfeiler’s belongings, found in January 1985 and stored as evidence in the San Carlos Court for almost 15 years, are sold at the court’s auction; a certificate of sale is issued.

February - September 1998

Weisfeiler’s family is contacted by a Chilean journalist who claims that the U.S. Embassy in Santiago recently received an anonymous letter stating that American, Boris Weisfeiler had been tortured and killed "by the Germans" at Colonia Dignidad. Ms. Weisfeiler hires attorney Hernan Fernandez to petition the Chilean courts to open a formal investigation.

October 1997

REPORT: BORIS WEISFEILER (informal translation attached)
document
The U.S. Embassy in Santiago receives an anonymous report on the disappearance and murder of an American citizen, Boris Weisfeiler. Before that an informant met with radio talk show host Ricardo Israel and gave him a handwritten report stating that in 1985 Weisfeiler had been turned over to Colonia Dignidad officials. According to that report, "after being questioned savagely, [Weisfeiler] was made to kneel on the ground and was murdered with a shot to the nape of his neck. This execution, report continues, was carried out solely by the Germans who took advantage of the absence of the Chilean authorities." The report resulted in no action either by the U.S. Embassy or by the Government of Chile.

June 1990 - March 1991

TELEGRAM: RETTIG REPORT: SYNOPSIS OF CASES
FOIA document
The Rettig Commission submits its report on human rights abuses committed under the Pinochet regime. The Commission, basing its report on evidence they received from the U.S. Embassy and so could examine directly, "determined that the evidence in Weisfeiler case was insufficient to declare that his disappearance was caused by agents of the GOC [government of Chile]." Boris Weisfeiler's name is included in the group of persons about whom it was unable to form a "conviction" that their unexplained disappearance was a case of human rights.

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES INVOLVING AMERICAN CITIZENS
FOIA document
The U.S Embassy asks the Chilean National Truth and Reconciliation Commission (the Rettig Commission) to investigate cases involving four American citizens: Charles Horman, Frank Teruggy, Ronnie Moffitt, and Boris Weisfeiler. On the Weisfeiler disappearance, the U.S. Embassy submits only basic background while withholding information on possible involvement of the Chilean Army and Colonia Dignidad. The Embassy points out, however, that in its opinion the previous investigation was inconclusive “because four members of an army patrol who reportedly assisted in a search for Mr. Weisfeiler were never interviewed.” That is the last known action by the U.S. Embassy to clarify Weisfeiler’s disappearance until the year 2000 when relevant documents began to be declassified.

March 1990

MEMORANDUM: BORIS WEISFEILER (an informant’s report)
FOIA document
Then human rights attorney Maximo Pacheco brings to the U.S. Embassy a written statement on the disappearance and torture of an American, Boris Weisfeiler. The statement, written by an informant already known to Pacheco and the U.S. Embassy, “Daniel, confirmed that Weisfeiler was arrested by the Chilean military and brought for interrogation into Colonia Dignidad where he was treated as “Jewish dog.” No action is ever taken on the report. The case lies dormant for the next ten years.

February 1990

MEMORANDUM: FUNDING FOR WEISFEILER CASE
FOIA document
The most disheartening piece of information is the refusal of the State Department to supply the U.S. Embassy in Chile with sufficient funds to pursue their investigation. Consul General William Barkell receives a one sentence response: “At present time there are no funds available in Post S&E allotments for this project.” Washington would not contribute the $3,000 needed to launch the effort. The investigation is shelved.

March 1989

TELEGRAM: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF LEGAL SERVICES
FOIA document
Four years after Boris Weisfeiler vanished, U.S. Embassy officials decide to request department approval “to obtain legal services to permit consular officers to perform duties relating to protection of U.S. nationals.” Consul General William Barkell asks higher-ups for an appropriation of a few thousand dollars to hire a Chilean lawyer to petition the courts to reopen the investigation.

September 1988

TELEGRAM: CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE
FOIA document
Boris’ sister Olga Weisfeiler immigrates to the U.S. States with her two children, Lev and Anna. As soon as she arrives in the United States she begins writing to members of Congress, Jewish organizations, universities, human rights groups, and the State Department asking for help. Over the years, Senators Edward Kennedy, Arlen Specter, and John Heinz, Congressmen Barney Frank, William Clinger, Thomas Petri, and Bill Boner, the American Jewish Congress, the Anti-Defamation League, the American Mathematical Society, and the Pennsylvania State University as well as many other individuals and organizations have all send inquiries regarding the Weisfeiler’s case. The consistent response from U.S. officials was that they had no new relevant information.

October - December 1987

A second witness who saw Weisfeiler alive on January 4, 1985, ‘accidentally’ drowns in a lake (this witness was apparently not known to any investigators; the information about him was discovered by Boris’ sister Olga in December 2002, during her visit to the site of Boris’ disappearance.)

MEMORANDUM: CIA OPERATIONAL CENTER: A SITUATION IN CHILE INVOLVING “COLONIA DIGNIDAD”
FOIA document
The CIA memo cites a Chilean informant who was convinced “but could not conclusively prove” that Weisfeiler was detained by either a Carabinero or army patrol, interrogated, beaten to death and then thrown in the river. The source says that among those many units that conducted a search for Weisfeiler, a secret police group (CNI) was among the first "sent in to clean the area of any evidence that would indicate that Weisfeiler had been murdered." The source speculates that "nobody aware of what really happened to Weisfeiler would ever tell the truth."

MEMORANDUM: WEISFEILER CASE
FOIA document
In late October 1987 Heinz Kuhn, former leader/member of Colonia Dignidad, brought a tape recording to the attention of the U.S. embassy. Kuhn allowed copying a tape that he claimed to have made in April 1985 and “just now realized” what he had on it. A radio conversation was between Colonia Dignidad officials Kurt Schnellencamp and Gerhard Mücke, who in German language discussed someone's burial inside Colonia’s cemetery. According to Mr. Kuhn those events related to disappeared American citizen.

June 1987

TELEGRAM: W/W CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER, COLONIA DIGNIDAD --NEW INFORMATION
FOIA document
A Chilean Army Intelligence agent who calls himself "Daniel" approaches Maximo Pacheco, head of the Chilean Human Rights Committee, and the U.S Embassy. “Daniel” provides detailed information on the fate of an American hiker: in January 1985 the hiker was apprehended by the military patrol, brutally interrogated, accused of being a spy, and turned over to Colonia Dignidad. “Daniel” testifies that Weisfeiler was delivered to Colonia in accordance with standing orders from the High Command of the Chilean army, which protects the Colonia and, along with the National Information Center (CNI) uses it as a training center. Informant states that within the last month “the subject” was seen alive on the premises of Colonia Dignidad, “kept in animal-like condition.”

April - May 1987

CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE: CONCERN OVER THE DISAPPEARANCE OF PENN STATE MATHEMATICS PROFESSOR BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
Members of the Penn State chapter of Amnesty International send letters requesting that members of Congress, Senators Arlen Specter, John Heinz, and Christopher Dodd, and Rep. William Clinger, press for an aggressive investigation of Weisfeiler’s disappearance. More than 3,700 members of the Penn State community sign a letter.

CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE: NEW INFORMATION ON PROFESSOR WEISFEILER
FOIA document
Prof. Richard Herman, chairman of the math department, sends a query to Sen. Specter requesting information on Prof. Weisfeiler whereabouts.

CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE: AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL EFFORT TO LOCATE WEISFEILER
FOIA document
Bryce Jordan, president of Penn State, sends an inquiry to Sen. Specter requesting information on Prof. Weisfeiler whereabouts.

February 1987

DEPARTMENT OF STATE CORRESPONDENCE: FOI CASE
document
Following on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the Pennsylvania State University receives documents which represent only the first few months of the investigation.

May – June 1986

TELEGRAM: W/W: CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
The U.S. Embassy receives the Carabineros’ report “on the steps taken to locate missing U.S. citizen Boris Weisfeiler.” The report, according to the evaluation by Deputy Chief of Mission George Jones, “raises as many questions as it answers, particularly in relation to the Carabineros actions on the night of January 4, 1985.” The embassy’s Chilean attorney Alfredo Etcheberry describes the report as “perfunctory.”

TELEGRAM: W/W: CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
The American Mathematical Society offers to the U.S. Embassy and government officials a fund for investigating Prof. Boris Weisfeiler’s disappearance. According to the cable, the American Mathematical Society offered "to pay the cost of whatever help they can get."

January - April 1986

GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: FROM THE CHARGE, WEISFEILER CASE
FOIA document
An officer of the U.S. Embassy, Lawrence Penn, mentions to Ambassador Harry Barnes his contact with an informant (apparently an intelligence source) who suggested that the American Boris Weisfeiler is alive. Mr. Penn is not reporting this communication officially. An actual date of that contact has not been determined.

October - November 1985

TELEGRAM: WELFARE/WHEREABOUTS (WEISFEILER, BORIS)
FOIA document
Soon after embassy officers received information on the possible murder by local Carabineros, the State Department requested information from the embassy on Chilean law regarding the issuance of a presumptive death certificate. “A lawyer must petition the court,” Ambassador Barnes replies.

MEMORANDUM: CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER,
FOIA document
In response to a FOIA request, the U.S. Embassy in Santiago forwards “copies of the entire Weisfeiler file to the department.” Five months later, Consul General Jayne Kobliska writes: “The release date of these documents is not known but when these are sent to the lawyer, we will lose control of the case and in all probability be accused of inaction if we don’t do something now.”

TELEGRAM: WELFARE WHEREABOUTS CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
Consuls of the U.S. Embassy (conoff) make two visits to the area of Weisfeiler’s disappearance. Information is received from a source who suspects that Chilean police killed Weisfeiler. Deputy Chief of Mission George Jones states in a cable sent to the Department of State that the case “has taken a most serious turn”; he requests the department’s instructions.

June 1985

The Penn State math department, through the appointed Trust officer of Boris’ estate, Carole Yon, and the attorney probating Boris' estate Charles Schneider, make a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for documents pertaining to the case.

May 1985

TELEGRAM: W/W: CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document (see page 5)
Luis López Benavides, one of the key witnesses in the case, dies in "mysterious circumstances." He is found hanging on one of the posts of the cable bridge near the spot where Weisfeiler allegedly drowned. The embassy was told that Luis López died some time in 1986; according to Luis’ mother it happened on May 5, 1985. As of November 2004, his brother Jose López is still insisting that it was a suicide. Luis López’ death eliminates the only then known civilian witness to Weisfeiler’s whereabouts and disappearance.

TELEGRAM: REVIEW OF W/W CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
All of the Carabineros who participated in the original search party have ceased to serve in the area and the officer leading the search is retired from service. Members of the army patrol that “were assisting in the search” have been transferred around the country, and none was interviewed within the first fifteen years.

April 1985

MEMORANDUM: WELFARE/WHEREABOUTS: CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document; 10 April 1985
An “eyes only” memo by Consul General Jayne Kobliska indicates that “the boundaries of Colonia Dignidad are more extensive than had been previously thought … Thus, at the time of his disappearance Weisfeiler was either on or very near to the Colonia property.” Kobliska feels that it is vital that this new information be transmitted to the [State] Department immediately by secure telephone.”

NOTES OF CONVERSATION
FOIA document; 2 April 1985
On April 2, 1985 an informant (Heinz Kuhn) appeared at the U.S. embassy and had an interview with an embassy’s official. At first, Mr. Kuhn discussed a man in Colonia Dignidad, but did not provide much information on the subject (quote: “discussed man in Colonia (?) - this person - is obviously dead –In being interviewed – but did not give info.”) Yet, an informant shared information on Maximo Pacheco (quote: “Max Pacheco - (openly?) one against Allende and for DINA afterward”), as well as on Manuel Contreras’ visits to Colonia (quote: “Manuel Contreras seen many times in Colonia Dignidad in mid - 1970s”), detailed information on CD’s escapees, who escaped from Colonia in March 1985, and their knowledge on the Parral House’s prison and its torture rooms (quote: “2 rooms kept vacant – claimed for torture”) and on DINA/Parral House/CD connections (quote: “MAJ. - DINA - chief in Parral Fdo (Fernando) Gomez – Colonia Dignidad house. Rooms used as a prison”). A copy of barely decipherable handwritten notes on that meeting is attached herewith.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE: OFFICE OF LANGUAGE SERVICES: TRANSLATION
FOIA document
On 9 am of April 2, 1985 Heinz Kuhn, former leader/member of Colonia Dignidad who left the settlement in 1968, but is still living in the area, made a secret recording of a radio conversation between Colonia’s officials Kurt Schnellencamp and Gerhard Mücke. An actual tape recording Heinz Kuhn brought to the attention of the U.S. embassy only in late October 1987.

March 1985

CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENCE: BORIS WEISFEILER WHO IS AT PRESENT MISSING IN CHILE
FOIA document
A request for information on the whereabouts of Pennsylvania State University Professor Boris Weisfeiler is sent to Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy on behalf of the Harvard University Mathematics department and other “members of mathematical community in the United States.”

LETTER: INITIAL POLICE REPORT
FOIA document
The initial police report states that Boris Weisfeiler, then 43, drowned while trying to cross the Los Sauces River. Although no body was ever recovered, Boris Weisfeiler is declared dead on March 6th 1985, and the judicial inquest is closed. The conclusion of the Chilean courts is "probable death by [accidental] drowning."

REPORT: REPORT ON THE STAY AND DISAPPEARANCE OF DR BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
The Chilean Mathematical Society hires private detective Oscar Tapia Duran. In a confidential report Oscar Tapia points out that “possibility that Dr. Weisfeiler entered Dignidad Colony can be discarded since it is more than 100 km from the place where he was last seen.” “One can deduce,” the report continues, “that Dr. Weisfeiler was the victim of an accident due to his ignorance of the conditions in the rivers Los Sauces and Ñuble.” (See September 2000 posting – Oscar Tapia, hired by the Chilean Mathematical Society and paid for with funds collected by Prof. Weisfeiler’s colleagues and friends in U.S., was a former Carabinero dismissed from service for corruption.)

February 1985

TELEGRAM: WELFARE/WHEREABOUTS: CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
The consular officer (conoff) of the U.S. Embassy undertakes a scheduled trip to the area of Weisfeiler’s disappearance. The body of a drowned man, physically similar to Weisfeiler, is presented by Carabineros as the body of the missing American. The body is later identified as that of Leopoldo Ponce Alarcon, a Santiago resident who had drowned five days earlier.

MEMORANDUM: TELCON BETWEEN CONSUL GENERAL AND PROF. IRWIN
FOIA document
A colleague of Prof. Weisfeiler, Prof. Ross Irwin, requests assistance of the Consular Section in offering a reward, collected in the U.S. by friends and associates of Prof. Weisfeiler, to the appropriate Chilean authorities for information on Boris’ fate. The Consul General suggests that the reward offer be referred “to the Department in Washington for appropriate consultation and action.”

January 1985

TELEGRAM: WELFARE/WHEREABOUTS: CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
Vice Consul of the U.S. Embassy Edward Arrizabalaga (conoff) travels to the area of Weisfeiler’s disappearance and examines items recovered in his backpack, including Weisfeiler’s Pennsylvania driver’s license and Visa credit card. Weisfeiler’s American passport, return plane ticket, and money are missing. A local judge assigned to the case instructs “police to turn over to the consular section Weisfeiler’s personal effects at the appropriate time.”

TELEGRAM: WELFARE/WHEREABOUTS: CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
Ten days after Weisfeiler’s disappearance, on January 14 or 15, his backpack is recovered on the banks of the Ñuble River. Police does not report its finding to the U.S. Embassy until a week later, on January 22.

TELEGRAM: WELFARE/WHEREABOUTS: CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
On January 19, the State Department receives the first alert from Penn State math department concerning Prof. Weisfeiler’s welfare and whereabouts; the Department sends its request to the U.S. Embassy in Santiago.

TELEGRAM: W/W: CASE OF BORIS WEISFEILER
FOIA document
After crossing the Ñuble River on January 3, Boris encounters two shepherds, shares their dinner and spends the night in their tent. The next morning he resumes his journey and later in the day meets the brother [Luis Lopez] of one of the two he met the night before, but they do not speak to each other. Luis Lopez informs Carabinero patrol about seeing a stranger and joins them in the search. “According to all official reports this man [Luis Lopez] was the last person to see Weisfeiler alive” stated the telegram.

December 1984

Itinerary: trip to Chile
FOIA document
December 24. Penn State math Professor Boris Weisfeiler, 43, flies from State College to Santiago, Chile for a solo hiking trip during the two-week school vacation.

May - November 1984

Map: WORLD STATUS MAP
Current State Dept. Travel Advisories, Warnings and Wire Reports, October 1984; Weisfeiler's file
While preparing for his trip to Chile, Weisfeiler obtains the State Department’s World Status Map (October 1984) with advisories and warnings. On this map, Chile is not marked as a dangerous area for American travelers.

TELEGRAM: DRAFT HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT FOR 1984
FOIA document
In its draft of the 1984 human rights report, the U.S Embassy in Santiago states that “leftist political protests, CNI and Carabineros arrests, political killings, disappearances, torture and other inhuman practices are alleged to occur as well as continued censorship of TV and movies, restriction of freedom of the press and freedom of speech.” On November 6, 1984, General Pinochet announces re-establishment of the State of siege. All this information is classified and not available to the American public.

TELEGRAM: TRAVEL ADVISORY – CHILE
FOIA document; May 30, 1984
In the classified correspondence, Secretary of State George P. Shultz expresses concerns over the situation in Chile. Given recent terrorist activities “department considering issuance of travel advisory for Chile” and asks the Embassy in Santiago for its “comment and reaction to proposal,” a proposal that was never transformed into a departmental travel advisory.

Missing in Chile

Mathematics Professor Boris Weisfeiler has been missing in Chile since January 4, 1985

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TIMELINE: THE WEISFEILER CASE

a guide to the key events, legal and political issues related to the January 1985 disappearance in Chile of a U.S. citizen, Boris Weisfeiler