The body of Britta Cloetens was discovered by a hunter in Dinant in December 2022, almost 12 years following she went missing. The Antwerp prosecutor’s office made an announcement regarding the identification of her body in a press release on Wednesday. In 2015, a man named Tijl Teckmans was sentenced to 30 years in prison for her murder by the Antwerp Assize Court. However, he did not reveal where he had left her body. On April 23, 2011, Britta was last seen in Wilrijk, where Teckmans worked. He attacked her when she refused his advances and hit her head with a car trunk, causing her death. Teckmans claimed to have disposed of Britta’s body in the Ardennes, but was unable or unwilling to recall the exact location. The Antwerp Federal Judicial Police and the Missing Persons Service made extensive efforts to find the body, but it was not until December 2022 that a hunter discovered human remains in a forest near Dinant. The Victim Identification Service confirmed that the remains belonged to Britta through DNA testing, which was announced on Wednesday. Britta’s family were also informed of the news by Victim Services on the same day.
The body of Britta Cloetens, found by a hunter in December 2022 in Dinant, has been identified almost 12 years following her disappearance, the Antwerp prosecutor’s office announced in a press release on Wednesday.
In 2015, a man was sentenced to 30 years in prison before the Antwerp Assize Court, but he refused to give the exact place where he had 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 today/Wednesday to Britta’s DNA.
Victim Services also shared the news with Britta’s family on Wednesday.
The identification of Britta Cloetens’ body almost 12 years following her disappearance brings some closure to her family and loved ones, but it also serves as a reminder of the tragedy that occurred. Despite the efforts of law enforcement agencies, Britta’s body remained hidden for years until a hunter stumbled upon it. It is a stark reminder that justice may not always be swift, but it will eventually prevail. The memory of Britta will live on in the hearts of those who knew her, and we hope that her family can find solace in the fact that her killer was brought to justice.
