The devastation over the fatal kidnapping of nine-year-old Gino van der Straeten is expressed in different places and in different ways.
At Gino’s parental home in Maastricht, at the playground where he disappeared in Kerkrade and the location of his body in Geleen, more and more flowers, candles and teddy bears are left behind.
Geleen
In Geleen, social work keeps its finger on the pulse in the neighborhood where Gino was found. His body was not far from the apartment where suspect Donny M. lived and was arrested. After his arrest, M. pointed out to the police where the body was. The shock in the neighborhood is great. “We are looking at what we can organize for people who want to tell their story. That will probably be the first need. There is a lot of sadness. Even horror,” says social work manager Suzan Eerkens.
Also read: Further research at the Gino site
Playing in the street
Sorrow and incomprehension also reign in the Maastricht street where Gino lived with his mother. The neighborhood has been defeated. “We often saw him playing outside,” says a local resident, excited. Gino’s relatives let it be known on Saturday evening that they mainly needed rest.
Speed bumps
The plans for a memorial tour on Wednesday evening in Kerkrade are also taking shape. Although, according to initiator Ramona Nyqvist, consultation is still required. “We are still discussing this with the police and the municipality,” she says. “We still have to agree on what time we will leave and what the route is. A few tuned cars are driving along, which are low on the road. Thresholds can then be a problem. Or provisions must be made so that they can still cross the thresholds. ”
Cuddly toys
There are now also two cuddly toys from Gino himself at the playground in Kerkrade. The boy’s family put the white-brown monkey and green-yellow frog there on Saturday evening.
little sail
Eygelshovenaar Alex Oosterhof has now taken care of the memorial site. He was previously one of the volunteers on the searches. He protects the sea of flowers from the rain with a plastic sheet, and the cuddly toys are also wrapped. “The family wants to keep the cuddly toys,” he explains, lifting the tarp briefly to make room for new cuddly toys. Two small children put the plush bears down, a girl turns around again so that she can caress her gift to Gino one more time as a goodbye.
“There are now twice as many flowers, candles and cuddly toys as Saturday evening around 1:00 PM,” he continues. “People keep coming,” said Alex.