People stare blankly at the growing sea of flowers that arise between the high-rise flats in the district. In the background, children play soccer on the field where Gino was last seen. In the meantime, people come and go to lay down flowers, bears and candles and to pay a final greeting to the young victim.
The police are making an urgent appeal in the investigation of the deceased Gino (9).
“I have experienced all this very intensively,” says Serena. “I joined the search, simply because you can’t just watch via your smartphone. In the beginning you are hopeful, but you don’t want it either. You keep courage and hope. But as the days go by, you start to fear the worst.”
‘shock’
Yvonne and her daughter Kathlyn also watch Gino’s unofficial memorial. “It’s so sad. I was really shocked when it came out that the little guy was dead. I know, it happens everywhere, no matter how severe the punishments are. And as a mother, you don’t want it to define your life that something like this can happen, but still. It is now in your neighborhood, where you live.”
Serena says she feels a lot of comfort from all the efforts of the past few days. “Here you see that most people are good, that we grieve together. Also how many people have joined in the search and are now laying flowers here. That gives you comfort and also confidence in people. Maybe that’s what we’re all looking for here. It is beautiful, but also all very double. In the end, it’s just the hard sadness that dominates now.”
The boy is actually from Maastricht, but has been staying with a sister in Kerkrade for a week because his mother is ill. On Wednesday evening he went outside to play football. He was also seen at the playground.