The residents of nine houses at the Langenhof in Oosterhout had to leave their homes in a hurry during King’s Night last year. A huge blow and a fire in one of the houses in the row caused great danger. The resident of that house had turned on the gas tap and that caused her house to explode.
This resident, Francisca van E. (34), wanted to end her life that evening, as it turned out in the court in Breda on Tuesday. Years of drug use had made her life hell. She used GHB, flakka, cocaine, everything she could get her hands on.
She no longer saw her two children and she was in danger of losing the rental house at the Langenhof. She sent her friend a farewell message: ‘I wish you the best. Tell the kids I love them. Happiness is no longer possible for me.
She cut the gas hose under the counter with a knife and lay down on the couch. When she later lit a cigarette, the built-up gas exploded. Francisca staggered outside and survived thanks to help from neighbors and the fire brigade. She was in a coma for six weeks and forty percent of her body was burned.
Francisca’s story sounded like a terrible period that she could not get out of and in which she was never completely clear. Neighbors saw from the mountain of garbage that piled up in front of the house that she was there again. It was a matter of waiting for things to go wrong, neighbors said last year. They had been experiencing nuisance from Francisca for 3.5 years and that ended with that bang and huge fire on the evening of April 26, 2024.
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Strangely enough, the bang turned out positively for Francisca. Since that day she has not used drugs anymore, because she no longer dares. She now lives in Gelderland, far away from Oosterhout and Brabant, where she has such bad memories. She will soon move into her boyfriend’s new house and see her children again for the first time. “I never want to experience something like that again,” she told the judges. “I want to be honest from now on and not use drugs anymore. I’m glad I’m still here.”
The public prosecutor also saw that the woman needs help and will not become a better person in prison. Francisca has reduced accountability and the advice of experts was to treat her for one to two years. This can be by appointment, but also in a clinic. She will also be monitored for drug use.
The officer followed that advice and as a stick behind the door she demanded a year of probation. She also demanded 240 hours of community service. Francisca agrees with the treatment. She would like help and rebuild her life, with her children and her boyfriend. But far outside Brabant, far away from the bad memories.
The verdict in this case is on November 11.
Talking about thoughts of suicide helps. You can call the 113 Suicide Prevention Foundation 24 hours a day on 0900 0113 or chat via en 113.nl.