Valentin’s parents, originally from Incourt, agreed to meet with us. It’s been 5 days since their 23-year-old son disappeared following an outing in Ghent. The hypothesis favored by the police is that he would have fallen into the water, on the way back. A theory they don’t believe.
In their eyes, a mixture of hope and pain. “I feel like my son is still here. I don’t feel like my son died today”confides Patrick, the dad.
For five days, they no longer have the slightest news of their son. “The police hypothesis is that Valentin fell into the water, into a canal. We don’t really believe it. We can’t imagine that Valentin might have fallen into the water. We did several times the trip. We looked left and right, and we can’t understand how we can fall into the water”, it’s Patrick.
That evening, Valentin was to go out to a disco with friends. Since then nothing, despite intensive searches by the police and the family. “It’s a part of yourself that is torn away. We have no answer, it’s very difficult”adds the mother.
For Marie-Alexandre, it is impossible to imagine the worst. “This morning it was snowing, and I mightn’t help but imagine Valentine, somewhere under the snow. And wishing he wasn’t cold.”
Five days following his disappearance, Patrick and Marie-Alexandre wish to thank the exceptional help (in particular from the police of Ghent and Grez-Doiceau) which allows them to keep hope. For them, Valentin is still alive, somewhere. “We’re waiting for him, we love him and we’re doing everything to find him. If you have this opportunity to see us on TV, it’s time for you to sign up,” concludes Patrick.
Anyone who recognizes Valentin or has information regarding him is invited to contact the investigators on the freephone number 0800/30.300.
Research still at a standstill
The 23-year-old’s research is still at a standstill. Investigators examined video surveillance camera recordings on Wednesday to trace the route that the young man might have taken, without success.
A wanted notice was published Monday by the federal police in order to find the traces of Valentin Footman, 23 years old. He was last seen around 12:30 a.m. at the Kompass Klub.
As of Monday morning, dozens of police officers were mobilized to inspect the banks of the Nieuwe Dokken and a helicopter flew over the area where Valentin Footman was reported missing. On Tuesday, three boats equipped with sonars and two teams of divers were also deployed. On Wednesday, following examining images from video surveillance cameras in the neighborhood, the police still did not find any elements allowing the investigation to progress. The search will resume if new information concerning this disappearance reaches the investigators.