The Netherlands mourns the loss of Peter R. de Vries

On July 15th, Dutch investigative journalist and crime reporter Peter R. de Vries died in hospital, nine days after being shot in the head from close range in Amsterdam’s Lange Leidsedwarssstraat, just after leaving the RTL Boulevard television studio. 

Read the article posted on July 10th: All About LUV' (past, present, future and more): Crime reporter Peter R. de Vries fighting for life after Amsterdam shooting / Reactions of former Luv' singers (luvgirlgroup.blogspot.com)

He was one of the most prominent journalists in the Netherlands, known for his work on high-profile crimes such as the kidnapping of Freddy Heineken in the 1980s and the disappearance of American tourist Natalee Holloway in Aruba in 2005. 

“It is almost impossible to comprehend. My thoughts are with his family, his relatives, friends, colleagues, all those close to him and I wish them a lot of strength in this unimaginably difficult moment,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte said in a statement. 

The sentiment was echoed around Europe. “Deeply saddened by the news of Peter R. de Vries’ passing. I want to express my condolences to his family and loved ones,” EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told. 

More recently De Vries had agreed to represent Nabil B., a key witness in a major gangland trial known as the Marengo case. Many commentators said his assassination in broad daylight was similar to other killings that prosecutors say were ordered by the chief suspect in the case, Ridouan Taghi.

Two men were arrested within an hour of the shooting after being stopped in a car on the A4 motorway. Polish national Kamil E., who recently moved to Gelderland, and Rotterdammer Delano G., who is suspected of being the gunman, appeared in court on Friday. G’s family recently told De Telegraaf that he had become involved with the so-called ‘Mocro’ drug gangs in Nieuwegein, Vianen and Tiel. He is said to be a nephew of Joey W., or Jaouad, another alleged Taghi gang member who is serving 13 years in jail for being a member of a ‘hit squad’. Taghi is one of 17 people currently standing trial in Amsterdam accused of ordering six murders and another seven attempted killings between 2015 and 2017. He is also suspected of ordering the assassination of Amsterdam lawyer Derk Wiersum on his doorstep in September 2019. Wiersum was acting for Nabil B. in the Marengo case, though his murder is not part of the trial. Two men appeared in court earlier this week accused of carrying out the killing. On July 15th, justice minister Ferd Grapperhaus said he had ordered an inquiry into the security arrangements around De Vries, who said two years ago he was on Taghi’s ‘hit list’. De Vries had refused an offer of personal protection after Wiersum’s death, saying it would make his job impossible as he depended on his contacts in the underworld for information. Taghi’s lawyer, Inez Weski, has denied that the cases are connected and attacked the media coverage of the shooting of De Vries, insisting there was no evidence her client was involved.

Many Dutch unknowns and celebrities reacted to the passing of the notorious journalist. 

Here's the message posted on the Official Luv' Fan Page on Facebook:

 

Former Luv' singers Patty Brard and Carina Lemoine also expressed their sadness on social media:

 

 

The public were invited to pay their respects at a farewell service for Peter R. de Vries on July 21st in Amsterdam. 

The ceremony was held on the wish of the family, partner and loved ones of Peter R. de Vries, who wanted to give everyone the opportunity to pay their final respects and say goodbye to Peter. The farewell was held at the Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam, which opened its doors especially for this occasion. A public farewell took place on July 21st, followed by a private, invitation-only service on July 22nd for Peter’s family, loved ones and those who knew him personally (including media personalities John de Mol, Linda de Mol, Beau van Erven Dorens and Humberto Tan).

At the public service, visitors were each given a moment to say a personal goodbye to Peter. Instead of bringing flowers, the family asked for donations to be made to De Gouden Tip (The Golden Tip) foundation. Peter was founder and Chairman of De Gouden Tip, which assists in cold cases and supports victims of crime – a cause close to his heart. So far, more than €1.3 million have been donated to the foundation. An online condolence book for Peter has additionally been signed more than 32,000 times.

Source: Dutchnews.nl, De Telegraaf, Facebook, Instagram, RTL Group...