UPDATEThe death of 20-year-old Mieke Verwaest is a tragic accident. This has emerged from the first reports of the autopsy report and is also confirmed by the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office. The news is also hitting hard in Bonheiden, where the municipality has opened a mourning register since yesterday. Chiro Aksent Bonheiden also opens their chapel so that people can leave behind words of comfort.
“We notice that everyone is in shock and we thought this was an appropriate way to support family and friends,” says mayor Lode Van Looy (BR30). He was also the first to write down a few words of comfort in the register of mourning. “But this is still terrible. My thoughts, and those of the entire board, are therefore with her family and friends,” the Bonheiden mayor continues. The twenty-year-old was found on Sunday morning around 8.15 am in a canal in the Oude Baan, about three kilometers from her home.
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Autopsy
The police and the public prosecutor’s office immediately started an investigation. An investigating judge was also requested. In addition to an autopsy, a toxicological examination was also required to provide more clarity. The report of that toxicological investigation is still awaited for the time being.
It is not clear how the young woman eventually fell. She was reportedly on her way to the Mechelen city festival Maanrock at the time of the accident. But according to the first findings, there appear to be no traces of a collision nor traces that a third party was involved. “So everything points to a very tragic accident,” says prosecutor Kato Belmans today.
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Flowers
“It must be terrible for the family and friends not to know exactly what happened,” says a walker on the Oude Baan. She came to look on Monday at the place where the young woman was found on Sunday. Various flowers and photos have already been placed there. The walker also put something down. “That way I want to be able to pay my respects to the family,” the woman continues.
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Meeting
Mieke was active at Chiro Aksent Bonheiden. She supervised the twelve and thirteen year olds. “From Tuesday, everyone is also welcome to put a flower or card in the chapel on our chirodomein,” says Chiro Aksent Bonheiden. Mieke was a co-leader for twelve and thirteen year olds. There is disbelief there too. “No words can describe how much we love you,” it still sounds on social media on behalf of the Chiro leadership. “How you approach life is admirable, always ready and if possible preferably in shorts, something on your crazy head and on your famous crocs. Out of sight, but forever in our hearts.”
The mourning register is open during the opening hours of the town hall, Jacques Morrensplein 10 in Bonheiden.
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