Antwerp police have received no less than 200 reports since a BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued on Sunday concerning the disappearance of 23-year-old Julie Van Espen in the province of Antwerp. The information reported to the police concerned both the disappearance of the young woman and the man wanted by the police as a key witness, but whose identity is not yet known.
The search for "any element that could contribute to advancing the investigation" resumed on Monday at around 10:00 AM. Operations are currently focused on the Albert Canal.
On Saturday, Van Espen left her home in Schilde around 18:30 by bike to meet with friends in Antwerp, but she never arrived. Some of her things were found on Sunday, after which the public prosecutor's office started a murder investigation.
Jules Johnston
The Brussels Times
