The Brussels Council Chamber has extended the pre-trial detention of 'GV', the Goodyear secretary suspected of the murder of Carmel Delaney.
Mrs Delaney, 61, was killed on 17 March at her apartment in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. An autopsy revealed that her body had four stab wounds to the torso and abdomen caused by a blunt or sharp object. Three luxury watches were also stolen.
The victim, a dual US-Irish citizen, was married to Chris Delaney, Goodyear’s Middle East, Africa, and Europe president. Mrs Delaney's murder sent shockwaves through the international community in the Brussels.
At the time of the murder, 'GV' was Mr Delaney's personal secretary. She had reportedly been engaged in an extramarital affair with the Goodyear executive for some time.
The secretary was arrested on 4 April after a search of her home in Steenokkerzeel. The investigating judge charged her the following day with murder and possession of a weapon by destination.
An extra month of pre-trial detention
On the day of the murder, the suspect allegedly rode her bicycle in disguise to the couple’s apartment, entered with a spare key, and stabbed Mrs Delaney.
Investigators believe she went to the apartment with the intention of killing Mrs Delaney, a claim which she denies. According to the suspect, she simply wanted to spend the day at her lover’s house and felt trapped when his wife returned home.
She initially tried to hide in a storage room off the kitchen, but when Mrs Delaney entered the room, she allegedly ran into her and stabbed her with a knife.
The secretary says she only developed a plan to make the crime look like a robbery after attacking Mrs Delaney. She will be held for an extra month of pre-trial detention.
