The Antwerp public prosecutor’s office has announced that the body of Britta Cloetens has been discovered almost 12 years following her disappearance. In 2015, a man was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for the crime, but refused to disclose the exact location of the body.
Britta, aged 25 at the time, was last seen in Wilrijk (Antwerp) on April 23, 2011. She had visited a garage where Tijl Teckmans worked, who then fatally hit her over the head with the car trunk following she declined his advances. Teckmans claimed to have disposed of the body in the Ardennes but mightn’t remember the exact location.
Despite efforts by The Antwerp Federal Judicial Police (PJF) and the Missing Persons Service, it was a hunter who found the human remains in a forest near Dinant in December 2022. The Victim Identification Service confirmed the match of the remains to Britta’s DNA. Her family were notified by Victim Services.
The body of Britta Cloetens has been found almost 12 years following her disappearance, the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office announced in a press release on Wednesday. In 2015, a man was sentenced to 30 years in prison in the Antwerp Assize Court, but he refused to give the exact location where he left the body.
On April 23, 2011, Britta Cloetens, then 25 years old, was last seen in Wilrijk (Antwerp). That day, she had gone to a garage, where Tijl Teckmans worked as a salesman. When Britta refused to respond to his advances, he slammed the trunk of the car over her head. Britta did not survive the blow. Teckmans then put Britta’s body in the car and, he said, drove in the direction of the Ardennes, where he disposed of the body. However, he was unable or unwilling to remember the exact location.
The Antwerp Federal Judicial Police (PJF) and the Missing Persons Service made every effort to find Britta’s body, but it was ultimately a hunter who found the human remains in a forest near Dinant in December 2022 The Victim Identification Service investigated the site and found more body remains. DNA testing found a match on Wednesday with Britta’s DNA.
Victim Services also shared the news with Britta’s family on Wednesday.
The discovery of Britta Cloetens’ body following 12 years brings some closure to her family and loved ones, though it cannot undo the pain and trauma they have endured. The determination and persistence of law enforcement and victim services in their search for Britta’s remains is commendable, and it is a reminder that justice should always prevail in cases of violence and crime. Our thoughts are with Britta’s family as they navigate this difficult time, and we hope that they may find some peace in knowing that she has finally been found.
