The Horrifying Crimes of Belgium's Most Notorious Serial Killer
Belgian serial killer Marc Dutroux, infamously known as 'Le Monstre', has been cemented in history as one of the world's most dangerous paedophiles following a series of horrific crimes that devastated families and shook Belgian society to its core. His appalling actions included murder, kidnapping, rape, and the systematic torment of young children and teenage girls, with some victims being held captive in a manmade dungeon he constructed.
A Pattern of Escalating Criminality
Dutroux's criminal journey began early, with a lengthy record of juvenile delinquency that only grew more serious as he aged. Working as an electrician, he was first convicted in 1989 for the abduction and rape of five young girls, receiving a sentence of thirteen years and six months. However, in a decision that would have catastrophic consequences, he was released after serving only three years due to good behaviour.
During his incarceration, Dutroux reportedly deceived health professionals into believing he suffered from a mental illness, obtaining state-approved sedatives that he later used to drug his young victims upon his release. This early release paved the way for an even more terrifying four-year crime spree that instilled widespread fear across Belgium.
The House of Horrors and Its Victims
Following his return to society, Dutroux, often assisted by accomplices including his wife Michelle Martin, kidnapped and sexually assaulted numerous young girls, with several allegedly murdered. Among his most infamous crimes was the June 1995 abduction of eight-year-old classmates Julie Lejeune and Mélissa Russo, who were taken while walking and transported to one of Dutroux's properties in Marcinelle.
The children were imprisoned in a specially constructed dungeon where they were repeatedly sexually abused, with Dutroux producing child pornography videos of the torment. Tragically, when Dutroux was arrested for vehicle theft in December 1995, he left instructions for his wife to feed the captive girls. Michelle Martin neglected this duty, resulting in both children starving to death in the dungeon.
In August 1995, with the dungeon already occupied, Dutroux and accomplice Michel Lelièvre abducted nineteen-year-old Eefje Lambrecks and seventeen-year-old An Marchal, keeping them chained in a bedroom. The following month, both teenagers were allegedly buried alive by Dutroux and another accomplice, Bernard Weinstein, who was later reportedly killed in the same manner by Dutroux himself.
Further Abductions and Eventual Arrest
The horror continued into 1996 when Dutroux kidnapped twelve-year-old Sabine Dardenne, subjecting her to repeated rape. On August 9th that year, he and Lelièvre abducted fourteen-year-old Laëtitia Delhez, adding another name to his growing list of victims. Finally, on August 13th, 1996, authorities arrested both Dutroux and Lelièvre, rescuing Sabine and Laëtitia in the process.
Police searches of Dutroux's multiple properties across Belgium uncovered not only the remains of victims but also a massive collection of pornographic videos documenting his abuse. The investigation revealed disturbing failures, including police missing the eight-year-old girls during an initial search of Dutroux's property.
National Outrage and Judicial Outcomes
The case provoked unprecedented public outrage. On October 20th, 1996, approximately 300,000 Belgian citizens participated in 'The White March', protesting perceived police corruption, investigative missteps, and demanding broader criminal justice reform.
Dutroux's accomplices faced justice alongside him. His ex-wife Michelle Martin received a thirty-year sentence but was granted parole after serving only sixteen years. Michel Lelièvre was released in 2019 after serving twenty-three years of a twenty-five-year sentence. Marc Dutroux himself was finally sentenced to life imprisonment on June 17th, 2024, and remains incarcerated, serving his sentence for crimes that left an indelible mark on Belgian history.
