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Marc DutrouxBelgian serial killer and pedophile
Date of Birth: 06.11.1956
Country:  Belgium |
Content:
Biography of Marc Dutroux
Marc Dutroux is a Belgian serial killer and pedophile who operated from 1995 to 1996. He abducted six girls between the ages of 8 and 19, torturing and sexually assaulting them. He murdered four of his victims. It is also believed that Dutroux is responsible for the death of his former accomplice, Bernard Weinstein.
Early Life
Marc Dutroux was born in Ixelles, Belgium, and was the eldest of five children of two Belgian teachers. His parents lived in the Belgian Congo for a period of time, but returned to Belgium when Marc was four years old. In 1971, Dutroux's parents divorced, and he remained with his mother. As a young adult, Dutroux worked as a gigolo. He married at the age of 19, but divorced in 1983. He had two children from his marriage.
Criminal Activities
Dutroux began a relationship with Michelle Martin while still married. They got married in 1989, while both of them were in prison. However, they later divorced in 2003. Dutroux worked as an electrician but faced difficulties in maintaining regular employment. He became involved in criminal activities, including car theft, robbery, and drug trafficking.
In February 1986, Dutroux and Martin were arrested for the kidnapping and rape of five young girls. In April 1989, Dutroux was sentenced to 13.5 years in prison, while Martin received a five-year sentence. Dutroux showcased good behavior in prison and was released early in 1992.
Upon his release, Dutroux convinced his monitoring psychiatrist of his disability, which allowed him to receive welfare benefits and obtain sedatives and tranquilizers, later used to drug his kidnapped victims. He accumulated a substantial fortune through drug trafficking, selling stolen cars, and robberies.
Kidnappings and Murders
On June 24, 1995, Dutroux abducted 8-year-old Julie Lejeune and 8-year-old Melissa Russo. He kept them captive in his basement, where he regularly raped and recorded his abuse of the girls. On August 22, 1995, Dutroux abducted 17-year-old An Marchal and 19-year-old Eefje Lambrecks, with the assistance of Michel Lelievre, who was paid in drugs.
Since his basement was occupied by Lejeune and Russo, Dutroux tied up his new victims in one of the rooms in his house. Dutroux's wife was aware of his activities, and he had no need to hide from his family. After a few days, Dutroux killed the girls by administering a lethal dose of medication and burying them alive on his property.
In late 1995, Dutroux was arrested for extortion involving an expensive car. During his three-month imprisonment, his 8-year-old captives died of starvation. Two months after his release, Dutroux, aided by Lelievre, kidnapped 12-year-old Sabine Dardenne. On August 9, 1996, he abducted 14-year-old Laetitia Delhez. This time, Dutroux made a mistake, and a witness partially remembered his car's license plate number, leading to his arrest on August 13, 1996.
On August 15, 1996, Dutroux provided the police with the location of his hidden dungeon, where Dardenne and Delhez were found alive. Dardenne later revealed that Dutroux claimed she had been kidnapped by an extortion gang and that he had saved her. He even allowed her to write letters to her parents, although he never sent them.
On August 17, 1996, Dutroux led the police to the burial site of Lejeune, Russo, and Weinstein, his former accomplice. The autopsy revealed that Dutroux had tortured Weinstein before drugging him and burying him alive. Dutroux also directed the police to the graves of Marchal and Lambrecks. Police found a large collection of homemade pornography in Dutroux's homes.
Legal Proceedings
The investigation into Dutroux's crimes took 17 months. In April 1998, Dutroux was brought to trial. The trial lasted for three months, with 450 people testifying. Dutroux, Martin, and Lelievre were found guilty. Dutroux received a life sentence, Martin was sentenced to 30 years, and Lelievre to 25 years.
The Dutroux case caused significant controversy in Belgium. One major criticism was the police's incompetence during a search on December 13, 1995, just before Dutroux's arrest. Detectives were investigating a different case but could have potentially discovered Lejeune and Russo alive. The police lacked proper equipment and dogs during the search, and although some detectives heard children crying, they assumed the sounds were coming from outside.
As a result of the case, many Belgians bearing the surname Dutroux changed their names between 1996 and 1998.
