A 22-year-old Belgian man has been arrested after murdering his mother and brother and attempting to kill his father.
Alexandre Bayot, from Charleroi, was apprehended by the Belgian authorities at Brussels-Midi station on Sunday evening. He was reportedly attempting to board a Thalys train to France.
Police officials have since confirmed that they found Alexandre by tracking his telephone and bank card use. They added that he did not resist arrest.
Earlier that day, investigators discovered the mutilated bodies of Alexandre's 50-year-old mother, Coralie, and his 17-year-old brother, Maxime, in the attic of the Bayot family home. Both had been stabbed to death.
Investigators also found Alexandre's heavily injured father, Raymond, on the ground floor. He had reportedly been shot with an air gun and kicked down the stairs by his son.
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"The suspect is charged with matricide, attempted parricide and homicide against his brother," said Charleroi Deputy Prosecutor Amelie Di Vincenzo on Tuesday morning.
Di Vincenzo added that Alexandre's motivation for the killings remains "unclear". Alexandre himself has reportedly mentioned that he acted out of "personal and family concerns".
Neighbours of the Bayot family have told Belgian media that Alexandre appeared to be a "normal" young man who was well-liked by most people in the area.
The case's investigating judge has ordered Alexandre to undergo a mental health examination. Di Vicenzo noted that this procedure will help the judge determine "whether the accused was, at the time he committed the acts, in an altered state or not".
