Richard K., the 50-year-old man from Klazienaveen who is suspected of a double murder of a couple in Weiteveen, will remain in custody longer. The examining magistrate extended his pre-trial detention by fourteen days. He will also be admitted to the Pieter Baan Center for psychiatric observation.
According to the Public Prosecution Service, brutal violence was used in the murders of the 38-year-old man and his 44-year-old wife. Investigation shows that, among other things, both victims were shot. The woman was shot dead at close range, the man was mauled in several ways. He was shot, stabbed and beaten. One of their sons, among others, partly witnessed this.
According to the Public Prosecution Service, everything indicates that the suspect used several weapons that he took with him to the scene of the tragedy. “The suspect was in possession of a weapons permit. We are investigating which weapons he was allowed to have and whether they were used in the incident.”
A conflict had been going on between the suspect and the victims for a year, after the couple had bought a house from K.. According to the buyers, there are structural defects. A period of arguments, bullying and threats followed on both sides.
“In the past year, both parties have made several reports and several reports of what they consider to be nuisance or criminal behavior by the other,” the Public Prosecution Service said. Given the ongoing investigation, the Public Prosecution Service cannot yet discuss this in detail.
The violent incident has a major impact on the village. The killed couple had two children, one of whom goes to St. Franciscus primary school in Weiteveen. Their other child is a student of Terra in Emmen.