The relatives of the Blerickse Laura Schreurs (26), who died from a knife stab at the beginning of December 2020, no longer want to look at an empty table in the courtroom. If it is up to the family, 40-year-old murder suspect Hugo Q. from Portugal will appear at the trial in June.
This became apparent on Thursday during a so-called pro forma hearing in the court of Roermond.
Hugo has been under lock and key for 16 months, but he has never appeared at interim hearings. In December of last year, he attended via an online connection and expressed regret, but then Laura’s family could not see him.
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‘I want to have an image’
Relatives of Laura and the judiciary hope that Hugo will be present during the substantive criminal hearing on June 20. Laura died on December 8, 2020 when the Portuguese stabbed her in the neck with a knife. That happened right in front of her home in Blerick.
It frustrates sister Anouk that she has no idea who is responsible for Laura’s murder. She has many questions and is looking for answers. “I want to have an image. Who last saw Laura when it happened?” says Anouk.
Murder pregnant girlfriend
After the atrocity, Hugo fled. The police arrested him two days later in Spain, after which he was quickly extradited to the Netherlands. It soon became apparent that the Portuguese had a criminal past. In 2005, he slit his pregnant girlfriend Hayley Richards, 23, from ear to ear. The brutality of the murder was such that crime channel Investigation Discovery UK one documentary made about.
Also read: Murder suspect Blerick killed pregnant girlfriend in 2005
The story of family
Hugo was given a life sentence with the notion that a possible review would come after eighteen years. He was extradited to his native country in 2014 and was released early. The Portuguese moved to the Netherlands and sent Laura annoying messages via social media under a false name. The victim reported this to the police. On the fateful day, Laura had an afternoon appointment with the police, but was killed a few hours before.
Laura’s relatives announced on Thursday that they want to tell their story in court in June. “My mother has written something down and wants to let it be heard. Whether she is going to read it or whether I am going to do it, we have to see,” said sister Anouk.