Man (78) of woman who disappeared thirty years ago arrested on suspicion of murder (Sint-Martens-Latem)

The husband of Annie De Poortere, the 48-year-old woman from Sint-Martens-Latem who disappeared without a trace in 1994, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. This is reported by the East Flanders public prosecutor’s office.

On Saturday, the remains of a body were found during excavation work behind the garage of a family home in Sint-Martens-Latem. “Based on several strong indications,” the public prosecutor’s office assumes that the remains belong to Annie De Poortere. The then 48-year-old woman lived in the house next door, but disappeared without a trace in 1994. “Further scientific research by experts will take place to confirm this identification,” it said.

Then-husband arrested

After the discovery of the body, an investigating judge was ordered to investigate the circumstances of the death. “This investigation has now led to the arrest of a 78-year-old man, the then partner of the victim,” the public prosecutor’s office said. “After thorough interrogation by the police services, the investigating judge decided to bring the man to trial and subsequently arrest him under electronic surveillance for acts that are provisionally qualified as murder.”

The man will have to appear before the council chamber within five days, which will decide on his further arrest. “Further investigation will have to reveal what his actual role was in the victim’s death,” the public prosecutor’s office said.