The body of the 23-year-old Julie Van Espen, who went missing on Saturday evening, was found in the Albert Canal, confirmed the public prosecutor's office. "Her body was located by the shipping police during a search of the Albert Canal," said the public prosecutor.
The 39-year-old man, who the police arrested in Leuven earlier on Monday is now suspected of her murder and will be brought before the investigating judge on Tuesday. The man could be identified through camera images, and the police were able to find him at the Leuven train station by investigating his telephone traffic. The public prosecutor said the man is no stranger to the court.
On Saturday, Julie Van Espen left her home in Schilde around 18:30 by bike to meet with friends in Antwerp, but she never arrived. Some of her belongings were found on Sunday, after which the public prosecutor's office started a murder investigation.
Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times
