94-year-old man killed by fellow care home resident in Zoersel
A 94-year-old man was violently killed at a care home in Zoersel, Antwerp, staff discovered on Thursday morning. A 75-year-old fellow resident has been arrested on suspicion of murder, the public prosecutor's office said.
The forensic laboratory and the medical examiner are at the scene conducting an initial investigation. An investigating judge has been assigned to the case, which is currently classified as murder. A psychiatrist has also been appointed to examine the suspect's mental state.
The care home, located on Kappellei, specialises in caring for people with dementia or early-onset dementia. In 2021, a resident died following a violent incident involving another resident. The management were taken to court by the victim's relatives for negligent handling, but were acquitted.
This is not the first instance of fatal violence at a care home in Belgium this year. In February, a 90-year-old man killed three fellow residents at a care home in Dentergem, West Flanders.
Two victims died at the scene, while a third died in hospital the following day. The perpetrator had previously killed his 87-year-old wife four years earlier. He had been declared mentally ill and was awaiting admission to a specialist institution.
Residential care home ZAS Joostens in Zoersel, Antwerp © BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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