Chris Vanhaverbeke, the suspect currently in custody for the murder of his two daughters, Maud (8) and Ona (5), and the attempted murder of his ex-wife, is alleged to have tried to have his wife killed after all. Daily Het Nieuwsblad reports he made an attempt from his prison cell. The suspect is said to have approached two fellow inmates with a view to the slaying of his former wife. The woman’s lawyer confirms that an investigation is underway.
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Suspect who murdered his daughters, accused of trying to hire a hitman to kill his ex-wife from his prison cell
Colin Clapson
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Chris Vanhaverbeke, a potato farmer from Waardamme (Oostkamp - West Flanders), is currently in custody. He is suspected of the murder of his daughters Ona and Maud, aged 5 and 8, and of the attempted murder of his ex-wife. The killings took place in 2022. A criminal trial for these offences is due to take place.
It now appears that he may also have plotted an attack on his ex-wife whilst in prison. According to the newspaper, the man sought out a hitman via two fellow inmates. These fellow inmates are said to possess 'contacts' outside prison. The police reportedly foiled the plan following a search of the suspect’s cell.
Lawyer Kristiaan Vandenbussche, who represents the ex-wife, confirms that Bruges police recently questioned his client. “This indicates that her ex-husband, whilst in prison, ordered a contract killing – or at least attempted to do so – an attempt that was thwarted by the police,” the lawyer says.
The West Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office confirms that a criminal investigation is underway. The suspect has also been questioned.
Previously convicted for harassment
This is not the first time the suspect has harassed his former wife from prison. 'Some time ago, she was already being stalked by the man from prison. He has since been convicted for that offence.'
‘The situation is very difficult for my client. She lost her two children and only just escaped death herself. Now it turns out that, even with her ex-husband behind bars, she is not safe. She has to take security measures at home. She is receiving treatment from a psychologist and a doctor. The trauma has been completely reopened,’ says Vandenbussche.
Lawyer calls for stricter measures
The lawyer is calling for stricter measures for prisoners who pose a danger even from within their prison cells. He points to the Italian system, under which a judge or jury can impose a period of solitary confinement in addition to the main sentence.
‘If the four walls of a prison are not enough, then we must create a prison within a prison,’ says Vandenbussche. He calls on politicians to introduce the measure in Belgium too.