Marc Dutroux
Marc Dutroux was convicted in Belgium in 2004 of kidnapping, sexual abuse and murders involving abducted girls and young women.
At a glance
- What happened
- Dutroux and accomplices abducted six girls and young women in Belgium in 1995–1996. Two abducted eight-year-olds, Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo, died in captivity. An Marchal (17) and Eefje Lambrecks (19) were murdered. Two girls, Sabine Dardenne (12) and Laetitia Delhez (14), survived and were rescued. Dutroux was also convicted of murdering associate Bernard Weinstein.
- When
- Abductions in 1995–1996; arrested August 1996; convicted June 2004.
- Where
- Belgium, including properties used by Dutroux in the Charleroi area and sites where victims were held.
- Why / motive
- The crimes involved kidnapping and sexual exploitation of children. The failure of police and judicial authorities to stop the offenses despite earlier warnings caused major public outrage.
- Outcome
- Found guilty of kidnapping, rape and murder charges and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2004. Other defendants received separate convictions or acquittals depending on the charges.
Who is involved
- Marc Dutroux — subject
Sources
- Marc Dutroux“2004 trial report details convictions, victims and ages.”
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/jun/17/dutroux“June 2004 verdict details six abducted victims, their ages and relevant convictions.”
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