Valentin Footman, 23, disappeared overnight from Friday to Saturday in the Kompass Klub nightclub in Ghent. According to information provided by the federal police, his body has just been found this Thursday in the water. At this time, the cause of death is unknown. “The body was found by civil protection divers in the Handelsdok”, said Alain Remue of the Missing Persons Cell.
The federal police issued a wanted notice on Monday. On Saturday March 4 around 12:30 a.m., 23-year-old Valentin Footman from Incourt was last seen at the Nieuwevaart nightclub in Ghent.
On Monday morning, dozens of police searched the banks of the Nieuwe Dokken and a helicopter flew over the area. On Tuesday, three boats equipped with sonars and two teams of divers were deployed, but to no avail. The club itself and surrounding areas were also searched to no avail. On Wednesday, investigators focused on camera footage along the route the man might have taken. On Thursday, new research was carried out with boats and divers in the water.
The body was found around noon. “During a further search, the body was found by civil defense divers in the Handelsdok”, said Mr. Remue. The family of the young man was on site in Ghent and was informed.
It is not yet known how the young man ended up in the water. He had been refused entry to the nightclub on Friday night because he was allegedly intoxicated. A doctor was appointed to examine the body.
