Authorities have made significant strides in the unresolved case of Heidi De Schepper, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances over thirteen years ago. The 26-year-old mother of three vanished during the summer of 2010, and until recently, her disappearance went unreported. With new investigations initiated, police have arrested three men connected to the case, raising questions about what happened to De Schepper.
On February 27, 2025, police took the suspects—aged 33, 39, and 55—into custody, including the 55-year-old who was Heidi's former partner. This partner had stated previously to investigators how she had vanished suddenly, leaving with all her belongings without any prior indications of her intentions.
The 33-year-old suspect was interrogated on the night of the arrests and has since been detained under suspicion of murder. The other two suspects were questioned overnight and will later face judicial review to determine their future detention status. Police operations centered around Poeierstraat, where investigators believe the search may be linked to confessions made by one of the suspects. Future searches at additional locations have yet to be determined.
Kristof Aerts, spokesperson for the Antwerp prosecutor’s office, highlighted the long-held suspicion surrounding De Schepper’s case, stating, "We have always treated her disappearance as murder, even if it was never clearly communicated. For us, the classification was always murder. It has been treated as such from the beginning of our investigation." This assertion underlines the complexity and seriousness of the inquiry, especially considering the circumstances of her life.
Heidi De Schepper had led a deeply private and isolated life. Originally from Merksem, she lived with her partner and their three children in Balen since 2008. Strikingly, she had severed all family connections by the age of eighteen and had not been seen or heard from since her disappearance. Notably, she had been administratively removed from records by November 2010, legally making her disappear from national documentation.
The case intensified attention last year when school authorities noticed discrepancies involving one of De Schepper’s children, prompting them to report her disappearance. This action triggered police interest, leading to the renewed investigation. The police's long-held suspicion took shape as reports surfaced about strange circumstances surrounding De Schepper’s life and the timeline leading up to her disappearance.
Adding more weight to the investigation is the 33-year-old suspect's previous conviction for murder back in 2012, wherein he was found guilty of killing one of his closest friends, also occurring within Balen. He had been released from prison in 2021, but the prosecutor asserted there is no connection between this past crime and the De Schepper case.
“From one day to the next, she disappeared,” said the partner of De Schepper, who informed the police at the time of the investigation. His claims emphasized the abruptness of her exit to the authorities, but upon closer examination, many question the validity of these statements and what really transpired during her last days. Law enforcement officials are delving deep, seeking clarity and evidence after years of unanswered questions.
Despite the recent developments, many remain skeptical about the outcome and whether justice will be served for Heidi De Schepper and her children. Whispers of the case resurfacing after so long raise hope for her loved ones, yet also highlight the tragic and complex nature of unresolved cases, where many families are left without answers.
Moving forward, authorities will explore all leads, as they determine whether additional arrests may be warranted and whether they will unearth more evidence of what happened to the once vibrant mother and partner. With questions still unanswered, the hope for resolution and justice remains alive among the communities affected by this somber case.