Marie-Noëlle Bouzet, the mother of Elisabeth Brichet, passed away on Thursday morning, April 18, 2025, at the Foyer Saint-François in Namur. She succumbed to cancer, a battle she had been fighting for several years, and was 74 years old at the time of her death.
Marie-Noëlle Bouzet is remembered as a key figure in the white march organized on October 20, 1996, in Brussels, which took place in the aftermath of the Dutroux affair. This tragic event involved the abduction and murder of numerous children, including her daughter, Elisabeth Brichet. The white march saw an outpouring of support, with approximately 300,000 people taking to the streets to protest against the failings of the justice system and police in handling child abduction cases.
Elisabeth Brichet was only 12 years old when she disappeared in December 1989 in Saint-Servais, near Namur. Her abduction was orchestrated by notorious criminals Michel Fourniret and Monique Olivier. Tragically, her body was not found until July 2004, when it was discovered near Charleville-Mézières, where Fourniret had buried her.
Marie-Noëlle Bouzet's activism was spurred by the profound loss of her daughter. Alongside her husband, who passed away in 2013, she worked tirelessly to bring attention to the inadequacies of the legal system surrounding missing children. The white march they helped organize was not just a memorial for their daughter but a rallying cry for systemic change.
In 1996, following the shocking revelations about the Dutroux case, Bouzet’s determination to seek justice and reform was palpable. The white march became a pivotal moment in Belgian history, highlighting the public's frustration with the justice system. The sheer number of participants underscored the collective grief and anger felt by many families affected by similar tragedies.
After the death of her daughter, Marie-Noëlle Bouzet relocated to Canada for a period before returning to Belgium, where she settled in Namur about ten years later. Her life was marked by her relentless pursuit of justice for her daughter and other victims of child abduction.
Marie-Noëlle Bouzet’s funeral is scheduled for April 23, 2025, in Malonne, where family and friends will gather to honor her memory and legacy. Her passing marks the end of an era for many who remember her as a symbol of resilience and advocacy in the face of unimaginable loss.
As the community mourns the loss of Marie-Noëlle Bouzet, her contributions to raising awareness about child safety and justice reform will not be forgotten. Her story is a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by families of missing children and the need for continued vigilance and reform in the justice system.
