A member of staff from the social services department (OCMW) in the East Flemish city of Ghent has been killed while he was on a home visit on the Nieuw Gent social housing complex. The news first appeared in the daily ‘Het Nieuwsblad’ and has since been confirmed by the prosecutor’s office. It was the man's employer that raised the alarm when the 56-year-old failed to return to office where he was based. A 38-year-old suspect has been detained.
The man was on a home visit to a client at a flat on the Nieuw Gent social housing complex. When he failed to return to base his employer raised the alarm. Police went to the flat and found the 56-year-old lying dead.
Annelies Verstraete of the East Flemish prosecutor’s office told VRT News that "From the outset it was clear that the man had died a violent death".
The suspect was no longer in the building. The police searched for him and were able to locate the 38-year-old suspect elsewhere in Ghent.
"He was arrested during the night and taken to the police station. He will be questioned at length this morning".
The Acting Mayor of Ghent Hafsa El-Bazioui (Green) said in a written statement that “We express our sincere condolences to the victim's family, friends and colleagues. This touches us deeply. Our first thoughts go out to them. We will offer them all possible support. We ask the press to respect the privacy of those bereaved”.