Police have made an arrest in connection with the killing of lawyer Claudia Van Der Stichelen, who was gunned down outside her home and office in Sint-Lievens-Houtem (East Flanders). The suspect’s home in the same municipality has also been searched.
The 58-year-old lawyer was shot as she approached her car outside her home at 1PM on Saturday 28 October. Her son too was hit and seriously injured.
A suspect is believed to have calmly left the scene on foot. Police later issued an identikit image of the man and requested assistance from the general public in an attempt to track him down but in vain. It's unclear whether the man police are questioning is this suspect.
Ten days on an arrest has been made. The suspect is being questioned by an examining magistrate. The lawyer is believed to have been in charge of the man’s money affairs because he was not able to do so himself. On social media he had expressed dissatisfaction about how she was dealing with things.
Journalists following the case are not convinced last night's arrest is a breakthrough in the case. VRT understands there are serious doubts the suspect who is being questioned was mentally and physically able to commit the murder.
The lawyer’s killer was clearly well-prepared for the shooting. It’s hoped the investigation will now be able to establish clarity with regard to motive. The lawyer was specialised in family law and also acted as a stand-in justice of the peace. Cases involving family law often go hand in hand with tons of emotion experts say, especially when a lawyer is given charge of somebody else’s affairs.
Search at lawyer's home
Meanwhile police on Thursday launched a renewed search at the home of the murdered lawyer. Detectives are being assisted by members of the police missing persons' unit and may be hoping to find the murder weapon.