After sixteen years, what happened to the victim on September 4, 2009, when she was a 15-year-old girl, is still unbearable. In a letter from the victim, which the police are releasing today in consultation with her, she explains why it is so important that the perpetrator is found. That Friday, the girl was already free from school early in the afternoon and was cycling around one oclock from Bilthoven on the “Spoorlaan” bike path through the Panbos towards Bosch en Duin. The bike path was deserted when she saw a man walking in the middle of the path further into the wooded area. The man was walking in the same direction, but the girl was going faster and had to pass him. Maybe he heard her coming because the girl saw him turn around several times and look at her. When she tried to pass the man, he suddenly grabbed her and her bike. He threw the bike against a tree and threatened to hurt her if she did not come along, deeper into the forest. There he pulled a garbage bag, which he apparently had brought, over her head. Once in the forest, out of sight of passersby, he raped the 15-year-old girl. The victim now writes about this:
I had to fight to get my life back in order. And I am still extra alert when I go outside. I still have to live with the horrible memories. Every time I see on the news that women are attacked and abused or worse, I feel it too.
3D model
At this moment, based on multiple interviews with the victim, the final touches are being put on a 3D model of the perpetrator. The police have previously successfully used a 3D model to solve a sex crime case. The perpetrator was then recognized by an acquaintance. The police hope this will happen again now.
Report yourself
Sex offenders are often afraid that their name and face will become known to the general public. Therefore, the police believe the perpetrator may want to report himself to prevent publication. This offers an extra chance to solve the case. Especially for the campaign, the police are launching the “I-report-myself” form today. Via www.politie.nl/ikmeldmezelf the perpetrator can disclose his identity to the police and thus prevent publication of the 3D model. The perpetrator can also report himself by phone or visit a police station. In a special podcast episode (via Apple Podcasts or Spotify) the police explain how it works if you want to report yourself to the police. The perpetrators DNA profile is already known. Therefore, after a report or tip, it can quickly be determined with certainty whether someone is indeed the perpetrator.
Description
People who already suspect who the perpetrator might be are urged to report as soon as possible. There is a reward of 10,000 euros for the golden tip. The police are therefore releasing the following description now.
The man was approximately 30 or 40 years old at the time. He must now be between early 40s and late 50s. He is about 1.80 meters tall and had a stocky build at the time. He had dark hair that was greasy and unkempt. His eyes were light, possibly blue. He made an unkempt impression, was unshaven and smelled of alcohol. His clothing was notable for a blue tracksuit jacket with white stripes on the sleeves. The man wore beige pants and dark shoes. He spoke good Dutch and possibly had a slight accent. Remarkably, he was walking on foot in the forest area between Bilthoven and Bosch en Duin in the middle of the day. He may have come from the area, stayed temporarily at a holiday park or institution, but it is also possible that he had a car or other means of transport parked nearby.
Passing tips and reporting yourself
The case will be extensively covered on Tuesday evening in the crime investigation program Opsporing Verzocht. The police call on the perpetrator to report himself as soon as possible to prevent publication of the 3D model. This can be done at a police station, via the I-report-myself form or via the crime tip line at 0800-6070. People who suspect who the perpetrator is are also asked to contact the police. This can also be done via the crime tip line or via the tip form on this page. Anonymous reports can be made via 0800-6070 or via www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl.
