Ronny Rieken was born on February 12, 1968, in Germany.

On June 11, 1996, Ronny Rieken kidnapped 13-year-old Ulrike Everts in Jeddeloh II. He took her to a canal near Kampe, where he abused her. Afterward, he forced her to put her clothes back on one by one. He then strangled her with a diaper cloth and dumped her body 40 kilometers away in the Ipweger Moor. Her remains were discovered in July 1998.

On March 16, 1998, Rieken abducted 11-year-old Christina Nytsch. He pulled her off her bicycle near her home and drove her toward the Kampe canal. After physically assaulting her, he took her to a forest near Lorup. There, he forced her to undress, strangled her with a cable, and repeatedly stabbed her. Six days later, hunters found her body, which was covered with branches and had visible bruises.

A significant manhunt followed, covering 1,500 square kilometers with the support of volunteers and the Bundeswehr using thermographic cameras. DNA traces from Rieken were found on Nytsch's body and linked him to a previous crime. In 1998, he was arrested after a mass DNA screening began. Rieken was the first person in Germany to agree to a saliva test that led to a conviction.

During his trial, it was noted that Rieken had a history of abuse in his childhood. He had previously been convicted of raping his sister and other offenses. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1998, with a minimum of 15 years. Rieken has remained in custody, and as of 2012, he was not considered eligible for early release. He is serving his sentence at Celle Prison.