Police call on Aalst carnival-goers to help solve murder

Police investigating the murder of Sofie D’Hondt during the carnival celebrations in Aalst have called on members of the public to search videos and photos they may have taken on Sunday, 15 February, for clues. D’Hondt, they said, does not appear on footage taken from security cameras.

“During the carnival weekend in Aalst, there were thousands of people present, so someone must have seen or heard something,” commented VTM journalist Faroek Özgünes, whose documentary programme Faroek was used by investigators to launch the appeal.

The 38-year-old from Erpe-Mere, East Flanders, was strangled and attacked with a hammer. Carnival-goers found her body two days after the murder. Also found on the scene was a fluffy toy picked up from one of the fairground stalls and a child’s schoolbag, which was sold by the local charity shop between 4 and 10 February.

D’Hondt (pictured) was last seen at an amusement stand in Keizershallen at around 20.30 on Sunday evening. Police have no information regarding if she was with someone or who that might be. Her partner was questioned shortly after the discovery and later released. Information can be reported on 0800 30 300 or to at any police station.

photo courtesy Belga