True Crime Friday: Marc Paul Dutroux, the Belgian serial killer

Marc Paul Dutroux was born on November 6, 1956, in Belgium. He is a prolific serial killer, child molester and rapist. The authorities came under fire for their lax response to women, girls and children being murdered which grew public outcry. The outcry was so intense that more than one third of Belgians with the surname name Dutroux changed their name so that they would not be associated with the serial killer.

The Early Childhood of Marc Dutroux

Marc was the eldest of the five children by parents Victor and Jeanine Dutroux. His parent were teachers. Dutroux stated that as a child he was abused by both of his parents throughout his childhood. His parent’s marriage fell apart, and the father left the family. After graduating from school Dutroux began working as an electrician. Even through adulthood, he and his parents did not get along. Dutroux married Francoise Dubois in 1976. They had two children before they divorced in 1983. The marriage was abusive for his wife and the children. His ex-wife retained custody of the children.

The Victims of Marc Dutroux

• Julie Lejeune, 8
• Melissa Russo, 8
• Sabine Dardenne, 12
• Laetitia Delhez, 14
• An Marchal, 19
• Eefje Lambrecks, 19

Some of his victims were starved to death and buried alive. Dutroux murdered Bernard Weinstein, an accomplice Dutroux had turned on. He was buried alive. Dutroux held six girls as prisoners in his basement dungeon between 1995 and 1996. Multiple tips were reported to the authorities and there was a visit from the police once, but the police ignored the cries of his victims. Yes, you heard that right. The police heard the victims crying and asking for help but left them to die at the hands of Dutroux and his accomplices.

Dutroux was paroled in 1989, after he had kidnapped five young girls. Dutroux served just three years in prison. His mother went to the police and begged them not to parole him because she felt that he would commit more terrible acts, but the police chose to not listen to her. She even told them that he was keeping young girls’ hostage at his home to no avail. Dutroux remarried and his second wife Michelle Martin assisted him with kidnapping young girls.

The Survivors of Marc Dutroux

• Sylvie D., 11
• Five Unknown Victims

Marc Dutroux Accomplices

• Bernard Weinstein
• Michelle Martin
• Michel Lelièvre
• Michel Nihoul

Dutroux's second wife and a friend of his that was staying with them was arrested and convicted for their part in this murderous cult. Weinstein was never tried as he was murdered by Dutroux before being identified as an accomplice. Michel Lelièvre and Michel Nihoul were also arrested for their part in the sex parties and murders.

Lady Justice

Dutroux was arrested again in 1996 on suspicion of having abducted, tortured and raped six girls between the ages of eight and nineteen years old. Dutroux's widely publicized trial ended with his conviction on all charges in 2004. Marc Paul Dutroux is currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole. He escaped during his prison stay but was quickly captured. The authorities that were involved in this fiasco before he was arrested were forced to resign.

Reference

• Britannica - Marc Dutroux
• Wikipedia - Marc Dutroux
• New York Times - Topic - Marc Dutroux
• All That Is Interesting - Marc Dutroux