Missing Moroccan Man’s Remains Found in Belgian Suitcase, Solving 10-Year Mystery

In 2019, a garbage collector had accidentally discovered decomposing remains in a suitcase while working along the N978 road in Cerfontaine. DNA analysis confirmed that the remains were those of Youness Bizrane, reports Nieuwsblad. "The remains were found by chance, there was no question of a search," said Kristof Aerts of the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office.

Youness, 33, had been living in Belgium since 2008 until his disappearance in 2013. The MRE’s family had reported this disappearance to the police. The latter had issued a search warrant to find him. In parallel, they were conducting investigations. The investigators had found a tablet, a smartphone and a bank card of Bizrane in the apartment he shared with Ruben Mens, 28. The latter is suspected of having murdered the thirty-year-old. He later confessed to the victim’s family that he had strangled Bizrane and buried him in the forest.

According to the investigators, a case of revenge would be at the origin of this voluntary homicide. In 2016, Ruben Mens had been sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of his friend and roommate, while Youness’ body had not yet been found. This will be done in 2019.