Father of victim sues Dutroux’s children for damages

Jean Lambrecks, whose daughter was kidnapped 20 years ago in Ostend and later found murdered by serial killer Marc Dutroux, has filed suit against the children of Dutroux and his ex-wife and accomplice Michelle Martin. Lambrecks is demanding a share of their grandmother’s estate as part of the damages the parents of Dutroux’s victims were awarded.

Dutroux remains in prison after being sentenced to multiple life sentences for kidnapping, rape and murder in 2004. Martin has since been released from prison and lives in Wallonia. At the trial in 2004, the parents of their four young victims and two more girls who survived the ordeal were all awarded damages.

For Lambrecks (pictured), that came to €179,000. Last week, speaking from his home in Hasselt, he said that he has yet to see any damages awarded. He is now claiming a share of the inheritance refused by Martin on the death of her mother. The estate includes a villa in Waterloo, jewellery and shares worth an estimated €70,000.

Martin was apparently advised to decline the bequest to allow it to pass to the couple’s three children in order to avoid the victims’ relatives being awarded any proceeds.

Legal experts have said that the court could find in Lambrecks’ favour because Martin’s refusal was deliberately intended to escape paying the victims’ families. “The children have received something to which they were not entitled and may end up having to hand it over,” inheritance specialist Mark Delboo told VTM News.

Other parents confirmed that they have not received any damages awarded. One parent, Laetitia Delhez, gave a statement via her lawyer saying she would not seek payment from Dutroux and Martin’s children. “The children of the couple must not be held responsible for the actions of their parents,” she said.

Photo courtesy VTM Nieuws