The body found on Saturday morning in Geleen belongs to Gino van der Straeten (9), who has been missing since Wednesday.
The police confirmed this at a press conference about the missing person case. The press conference can be viewed here.
Suspect leads police to body
“We have searched with man and power together with the family and a lot of volunteers,” says Xander Beenhakkers of the police. “That led to a suspect on Friday afternoon. We found Gino’s body on the indication of the suspect.”
Known from the police and the judiciary
In the night from Friday to Saturday, a 22-year-old man from Geleen was arrested. It would be Donny M. At the press conference it became clear that he is known to the police and the judiciary. Deputy chief officer Henk van der Meijden cannot say anything about the borrower. “The suspect is in restrictions to allow the investigation to take place as objectively as possible,” he says. “I can only say that the suspect will be brought before the examining magistrate next week.”
Also read: Suspicious missing case Gino is known to police
Playground
The boy, who actually lives in Maastricht, disappeared from a playground on Zonstraat in Kerkrade on Wednesday evening. On Thursday evening a scooter was found in Landgraaf that resembles Gino’s scooter. Clothes were also found Friday evening that may have something to do with the case.
Body
On Saturday morning, a body was found in Geleen near a house on Opbraakstraat near Landgraaf, a relatively young part of the Lindenheuvel district. The police already took ‘serious account’ that it would be the missing boy. That is now confirmed.