Belgian mayor Alfred Gadenne found dead in cemetery with throat slashed
The 71-year-old mayor closed the graveyard every day
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An 71-year-old mayor of a Belgian town has been found dead in a cemetery with his throat slashed.
Alfred Gadenne, the mayor of Mouscron in western Belgium, was found dead early on Monday evening. His throat is believed to have been cut with a box cutter.
Belgian authorities are questioning an 18-year-old man suspected of killing the elderly mayor.
According to Frederic Bariseau, a spokesperson for the regional prosecutor’s office, police had received a phone call just before 8pm about the attack, from a person who claimed to be the killer.
Police and ambulance workers arrived at the scene to find the mayor’s body and the teenager, who was acting “very calm” and had a box cutter.
“He identified himself as the caller. He presented himself to police and offered no resistance. He was standing in front of the cemetery waiting for police,” Mr Bariseau said.
According sources and the suspect’s lawyer, the teenager told police he had been avenging his father, who killed himself two years ago after losing his job as a local council employee, public broadcaster RTBF reported.
Mr Gadenne had been mayor of the town for a decade and his death prompted tributes from across the national political spectrum.
"I have learned with horror of the brutal death of Alfred Gadenne," Prime Minister Charles Michel said on Twitter. "All my thoughts are with his family and friends."
Flowers have been left at the cemetery gates for Mr Gadenne and many have visited the town hall to sign a book of condolences.
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments