Frankl P., is accused of killing and burying his mother in dunes near the Ostend lighthouse, probably in 2016. His matricide, which he confessed, was not discovered until more than three years following the events .
In 2019, the municipality of Bredene was concerned regarding the non-renewal of the identity card of Solange Hennaert, 79 years old. Her son, Frank Pauwels, then explained that his mother had left her home for over two years. The man continued to receive his pension of 1,500 euros. He had been placed under arrest warrant in May 2019 for hostage-taking, computer fraud and fraud.
At first, the 50-year-old claimed that his mother lived somewhere in Ostend, but following a few days in prison, he confessed to a guard that he was responsible for her death. On further questioning, he said he punched his mother hard during an argument. It was only the next morning that he would have discovered that Solange Hennaert was dead. He then decided to bury his mother’s body in a dune near the Ostend lighthouse.
The victim’s body was discovered there on May 27, 2019. The autopsy revealed a nasal fracture which seems compatible with the accused’s account. The exact date of the fatal blow might not be determined, but everything indicates that the facts would have taken place in September 2016.
According to the Nieuwsblad, the man lived with his mother’s pension for several months until a police officer discovered the scam.
No one is a civil party for the trial. This will continue on Friday with the reading of the indictment. In principle, 51 witnesses must be heard during the proceedings, but not all of them will appear before the court.
The verdict is expected on Thursday, April 28. Frank Pauwels faces life imprisonment.