Attacker at residential care centre previously killed his wife
A 90-year-old man who killed two fellow residents on Thursday at a care home in Dentergem, West Flanders, killed his 87-year-old wife four years ago. He had been declared mentally ill and was awaiting internment in a specialised institution.
The man attacked three people on Thursday night, killing two of them. A third is in hospital in a critical condition.
The 90-year-old had killed his wife in 2021. In November last year, a court in Kortrijk ruled there would be no trial because the man was suffering from dementia. It was decided instead to intern him in a specialised institution. The court also said there was a chance that the man could re-offend as a result of his condition.
However, no place had yet been found for him in a specialised institution, so he was living in the centre in Dentergem under conditions and was monitored by a judicial assistant.
The public prosecutor, investigating judge, police, forensic lab and coroner went to the scene on Friday to investigate the exact circumstances. The attacker was taken away by the police and will be questioned at a later date.
#FlandersNewsService | Police investigators at the Mariaburcht care home in Dentergem, West Flanders, 28 February 2025 © BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
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