For the record, the couple who had lived in Tenerife since 2009 had been missing since April 22. The body of Laura Trappeniers, 66, was found dismembered off the island on April 27. Marc Olbrechts, her husband, is still missing.
On May 4, the couple’s car was found on the main street of a hamlet, not far from where the couple lived. The car was reportedly unlocked. A knife, sunglasses and clothing were found in the vehicle, which was seized.
Disappearance of a Belgian couple in Tenerife: a dismembered body found off the island, confusing communication from the Spanish authorities
Spanish investigators initially had full jurisdiction over this dark affair, but local residents were concerned about the slow pace with which the investigation was progressing. It was also members of the neighborhood who rolled up their sleeves and found the couple’s car not far from the couple’s home.
In the event of worrying disappearances abroad, the procedure provides that Belgium can send a letter rogatory in collaboration with the host country in order to support local investigators and speed up the search. This was the case during the disappearance of Natacha De Crombrugghe in Peru in 2022 or that of Théo Hayez at the end of 2018. But in the present case, there is radio silence from the Spanish authorities.
After the discovery of Laura Trappeniers’ body, the couple’s car was found
A request for information was therefore made by the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office but this request remained a dead letter. It was only two weeks after the worrying disappearance that Spain responded favorably to Belgium’s request for collaboration. The expertise of Belgian investigators is valuable in this type of case. “In general, we can provide support and provide answers to various questions, carry out neighborhood surveys, telephone surveys, etc. Having access to the file also makes it possible to keep relatives informed of developments in the investigation. indicated Eric Van Duyse, spokesperson for the federal prosecutor’s office.
A man filmed by a surveillance camera
