A terrible drama is said to have taken place behind the doors of the house on the Bourgondiëweg in Bovenkarspel. According to the Public Prosecution Service, Emiel H. (53) would have strangled his partner and set the body on fire. This became apparent during an interim session in the Haarlem court. The suspect himself speaks of an accident.
The suspect is not there. According to his lawyer, the transport to court for this short hearing is too stressful for him. He may only be there during the substantive treatment.
Children of married couple in court
The couple’s children are in the courtroom. The judge turns to them first. To offer their condolences for the terrible loss, but also to warn that the discussion of the events can be intense for them.
Because in the period from the disappearance of their mother to the arrest of their father, a lot must have happened. It is April 10 of this year when the woman is reported missing. A few days later, the area around the house is ready suddenly full of police and men in white suits.
The house is fully examined for a longer period of time. The body of the missing woman is found and a 53-year-old man is arrested. It turns out to be her partner Emiel H.. His lawyer Guido Terlingen does not want to say what exactly happened. Except it was an accident. “He is prepared to make a statement,” said the lawyer.
Woman strangled and set on fire
The Public Prosecution Service considers it murder or manslaughter. According to the public prosecutor, H. would have strangled his wife, causing her death. Then he allegedly took her to a remote place and set it on fire. And he may have taken the body home with him afterwards.
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There are still many questions, but few answers. The session lasted barely ten minutes and both the Public Prosecution Service and the suspect’s lawyer had little need to provide further explanation about the case.
Defendant has health problems
Among other things, psychological research is underway into Emiel H. His health is not going well. According to the judge, there were ‘worrying signals’. “They are undiminished,” said lawyer Guido Terlingen.
H. is in a psychiatric ward of the prison. That could indicate that he has mental problems, although the lawyer did not want to confirm that. The judge has yet to decide whether the suspect will remain in pre-trial detention for longer. The next interim session is on 16 October. It may take up to a year before a substantive treatment is reached.