Breakthrough in Heidi murder case after 15 years: partner and friend remain in custody

The Antwerp public prosecutor's office confirmed in February that there was a breakthrough in the disappearance case of Heidi De Schepper from Balen, Belgium, the mother of three children who suddenly disappeared in 2010. The judicial investigation is still ongoing.

On Tuesday morning, her then partner Nick M. (55) appeared again before the council chamber in Turnhout, which confirmed his detention. He will remain in custody for at least another month until he appears again before the council chamber. Nick Geys (33), a friend of the then partner, already admitted his involvement in the murder and appeared before the council chamber last week. His detention was extended then.

The breakthrough in the case occurred after Nick Geys confessed during his interrogation in February, in just ten minutes, that he killed the young woman. According to his own statement, he did this on the orders of Nick M., her then partner. Afterwards, he and Nick M. would have buried the body together. Michael D., the third party involved, stated that he was a witness to this. Ex-partner Nick M. insisted during the first weeks of his arrest that he had nothing to do with the disappearance or murder.

Heidi disappeared at the age of 26 and has been missing for 15 years now. On 14 January 2025, the police arrested Heidi's friend at his home in Balen. They were in a relationship at the time of her disappearance and have three children together.

Strangely enough, her disappearance was never reported until recently, when a notification came from the school of one of the children and the disappearance received renewed attention.

(SR for Tagtik/Source: Police - Faroek - Het Nieuwsblad - ATV/Illustration: ©Unsplash)