Brussels (Brussels Morning) – The Belgian authorities declared their decision to officially shut the investigation into the Brabant Killers.
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office officially revealed its decision to complete the investigation during a press meeting. The Brabant Killers (Les Tueurs du Brabant in French, de Bende van Nijvel in Dutch) executed a series of murders and fierce robberies
across Belgium in the 1980s, before suddenly disappearing. “We can only note that no active investigative steps have yet been taken in this case,” stated Federal Prosecutor Ann Fransen.
What Led to the Official Closure of the Brabant Killers Case?
Despite the gang slaying 28 people (including children) and injuring over 40 between 1981 and 1985, none of its associates have been caught and sentenced – or even recognised – to this day. Their motives also remain anonymous, with the initial police probe into the case widely criticised for being messy and careless. The case was adjusted into a television series entitled 1985, which was later purchased by 8 countries.
Why Were the Brabant Killers Never Caught or Identified?
For years, the assassins held all of Belgium in their grasp, with many assuming that police corruption played a considerable part in the case – either by being actively concerned in the crimes or by wrapping them up afterwards, or both.
The fact that the case is now being shut without solving it is widely believed a failure of the justice system. Federal Prosecutor Fransen stated that the victims and families of the victims had already been informed about the closure of the case ahead of the press conference.
Why Is the Closure of the Brabant Killers Case a Blow to Justice?
“It is a message that is not pleasing to convey or to hear,” she stated. “We are aware that this is a crushing blow for the sufferers and we have tremendous compassion for them.”
“Years of passionate research and constant efforts have not delivered the results we all expected,” Fransen added. She stressed that particularly over the past five years, investigating Judge Martine Michel and about a dozen detectives assigned exclusively to this case “meticulously” re-examined all the leads and followed up new ones.
What Steps Did Investigators Take to Solve the Brabant Killers Case?
She presented that 1,815 items of information have been proved over the years, and new means of research and all modern scientific methods have been employed. “A total of 593 DNA samples were carried and compared. An in-depth ballistics examination of weapons and shell casings was also carried out”
What Future Options Remain for Brabant Killers’ Victims?
Even with the case shut, however, sufferers will still be able to confer the file and possibly request additional investigative actions– even though there is no assurance that the Council Chamber grant the appeal. Additionally, since the statute of limitations has passed, the inquiry could be relaunched, but only if serious new stuff comes to light, which is dubious after so many years of fruitless research.
The gang’s slayings remain one of the most significant unsolved cases in Belgian legal history. After decades of investigation and their share of errors, multiple detentions without results and new examinations in the light of genetic studies, the mystery remains unsolved. The last unrestricted attack occurred in the winter of 1985 when a theft of a Delhaize supermarket in the Flemish city Aalst resulted in eight demises, making it the bloodiest episode officially attributed to the Brabant Killers. After that, the gang suddenly ceased their moves, seemingly disappearing into thin air.
