Homans: “The police investigation has shown that there was an incident on the street. What we have been able to establish is that a scuffle also occurred there, which involved some pushing and pulling, and possibly a blow. Both the victim and the suspect ended up on the ground.”
During the investigation into the cause of death, the police interviewed everyone involved. No traces were found on the victim from which it could be concluded that there was a fatal assault. “And the pathologist at the Dutch Forensic Institute cannot now determine a certain cause of death.”
That is why there are now no longer any reasons to detain the suspect longer, says Homans. The 18-year-old man has been released, but remains a suspect while the investigation is ongoing.
If it ultimately turns out that the victim has died as a result of the confrontation, for example from a heart attack due to fright or fear, it is not yet certain that the suspect will be arrested again.
“A heart attack can have all kinds of causes. Then it becomes very complicated to determine what an exact cause is, even if that were the case. In any case, if someone has been arrested and released, then new facts and circumstances exist to arrest someone again,” said Homans.
The conclusions of the Public Prosecution Service are not believed by everyone, according to responses. A manhunt has arisen on social media calling for photos and other information of the group of young people to be shared. This is known as doxing and is punishable.
Homans: “We are seriously concerned about this, especially because of the premature conclusions that are drawn based on unsubstantiated reporting. I would like to call on everyone not to draw premature conclusions when no facts are known.”