Dentergem: 90-Year-Old Man Stabs Three, Previously Killed Wife in 2021

Dentergem (Eurotoday) – A 90-year-old man killed his wife in 2021 before stabbing three other residents at a residential care centre in Dentergem last night. Former staff members of our newsroom obtained related information, which the public prosecutor’s office later confirmed.

The elderly man used a knife to fatally wound two friends and severely injure another resident during an attack at the Mariaburcht residential care centre late last night. The attacker had previously killed his wife in 2021 and had an extensive record with the authorities. Many are now questioning whether the care facility was suitable for him, given his history of violence and existing mental health issues.

The early morning attack resulted in the deaths of two male victims, aged 97 and 93, while a 94-year-old woman remains in critical condition. The suspect had been residing at the care facility since 2021 after killing his wife with a hammer during a marital dispute. The court deemed him unfit for trial due to early dementia, leading to his placement in a detention facility. Authorities have not clarified whether he was admitted to the care centre as part of a special treatment protocol or if he was awaiting placement at another institution. Justice journalist Philip Heymans suggested in his report that the perpetrator may have stayed at the residential care centre while waiting to be moved to a specialised facility. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of insufficient facilities to house detainees in the country.

What is the background of the Dentergem care centre incident?

The 90-year-old suspect in the Dentergem Care Centre stabbing had a history of multiple violent offences. In 2021, he killed his 87-year-old wife using a hammer during a fight at their home in Oostrozebeke. Due to a diagnosis of early dementia, doctors ruled him unfit for trial, and he was placed under institutional care. 

Since late 2021, the suspect had been residing at the Mariaburcht Dentergem residential care facility, despite the centre lacking specialised accommodations for dementia or mental health patients. Many are questioning why he remained at this facility, as Belgium struggles with a shortage of specialised treatment centres for individuals with similar health conditions.