The bodies found in a car in Winschoten on Tuesday evening are those of the missing Jeffrey (10) and Emma (8) and their father. The children had been missing since Saturday afternoon in the area of Beerta, Groningen.
The police confirm that the bodies are those of the missing children. The body of Klaas B., the children’s father, was also found in the car.
The family also said that the bodies of Jeffrey and Emma had been found. “Shocked, angry and intensely sad. No words come close to what we are feeling now,” the relatives respond. “We can’t comprehend it and actually don’t want to comprehend it.”
On behalf of the Family, an organization that assists victims and relatives, asks to give the family the necessary rest now. “As everyone can understand, these have been terrible days. Therefore, the family asks for peace to process this. They thank everyone who helped with the search,” says Selma Hoekstra of On behalf of the Family.
The police are asking to remove previously distributed photos of Jeffrey and Emma again. “We want to thank everyone who in any way helped with the search or the passing on of information,” the police also write.
Police Sent Out Amber Alert on Sunday
On Tuesday evening, a car with several bodies inside was found in the water in Winschoten. The police have “carefully examined” the car and the bodies. They confirm that it is the gray Toyota Avensis of B.
Since around 8:30 PM, the police had been searching in the water near the Renselweg in an industrial area in the Groningen town. “That location came to light in ongoing investigation,” a spokesperson told NU.nl. “So not through a tip from a citizen.”
The police sent out an amber alert on Sunday due to the children’s disappearance. These messages are only sent if a minor child is suspected to be in mortal danger.
In the investigation, the police found a letter in which B. wrote that he wanted to kill himself and his children. Therefore, the police feared for the lives of Jeffrey and Emma. The police searched for the children together with hundreds of citizens, but to no avail.