In a heavily polluted home without running water or gas, the lifeless body of a 40-year-old Polish woman was found in July 2023. The resident, with whom the woman stayed, was arrested. Extensive investigation has not shown that he was responsible for her death, but he had daily raped and severely beaten her in the last weeks and months. The last period of her life must have been unbearable and hopeless, concluded the public prosecutor.
The woman was picked up in March 2023 by the now 61-year-old Polish suspect in the center of The Hague. She was addicted to alcohol, and the suspect - also an alcoholic - posed as a savior. In fact, he brought her into his home so that he and his housemate could have sex with her every day. Not long after, the suspect decided to keep her for himself and locked the door: when he was away, she was not allowed to leave the room.
Several months later, the suspect called the police in the middle of the night, who found the woman deceased in the home. The autopsy revealed that excessive alcohol consumption had been fatal for the woman. Whether applied violence also led to her death could not be established. That she was severely beaten is clear.
Countless Injuries
The autopsy shows that the woman had countless injuries in various stages of healing. Bruises all over her body, severe injuries to her genitals, broken ribs, at least 43 marks from sticks or belts, fractures in the neck indicating previous attempts at strangulation, and the list went on. From statements, a picture emerges of a woman who was physically unable to walk by herself.
The suspect has stated that he had sex with her every day, sometimes two or three times, said the public prosecutor during the session. Given the nature of the injuries, I find it utterly unbelievable that she underwent this voluntarily. So, cautiously speaking, I consider daily rape proven for at least the last three weeks of her life.
Unimaginable Suffering
Additionally, the suspect has been charged by the Public Prosecution Service with sexually penetrating the victim while she was in a state of unconsciousness, attempted manslaughter, and aggravated assault. It is hard to comprehend how much the victim must have suffered leading up to her death, stated the public prosecutor.
The suspect still seems to see himself as a caring man and has given little insight into his inner world during the observation at the Pieter Baan Centre. Thus, experts could not establish a personality disorder and the Public Prosecution Service considers him fully accountable. The public prosecutor demanded 16 years in prison. The court will rule in two weeks.