A Dutch woman found barely alive beside a highway in March had allegedly been held captive, repeatedly raped, and subjected to days of brutal torture before her suspected attacker tried to kill her with his car, prosecutors have told a court.
The 38-year-old victim was discovered covered in blood near an exit from the A12 motorway at Maarsbergen on the morning of March 30. Her injuries were so extensive that officers reportedly said they had never seen a living person in such a grave condition.
Speaking to RTV Utrecht, a witness compared the scene to a horror film.
During an initial court hearing, the Public Prosecution Service alleged that the suspect imprisoned the woman at his home on De Clomp from March 24 until March 30. He is described in the Dutch media as a 52-year-old Zeist resident, named only E. el B.
Prosecutors said the victim was repeatedly punched, kicked, and beaten with objects during her captivity. She was allegedly forced beneath a cold shower, had a plastic bag placed over her head, and a rope tightened around her neck.
Her arms and legs were also reportedly cut with a knife, while prosecutors allege she was raped multiple times using violence.
The woman suffered two collapsed lungs, a fractured shoulder blade, a broken nose and the loss of a front tooth. One eye was swollen shut, and her body was covered with cuts, stab wounds, and other injuries. Deep marks were visible around her neck, and she was unable to walk.
Prosecutors allege El B. later drove the victim toward Maarsbergen, threw her from his vehicle and then ran her over in an attempt to kill her.
Her mother and sister had reported her missing while she was allegedly being held inside the Zeist property.
Investigators initially did not know how the woman had come to be beside the highway. Police later traced a vehicle linked to the suspect after its license plate was recorded by cameras along the A12 highway.
Blood belonging to the victim and other DNA evidence were subsequently discovered inside the suspect’s home, according to prosecutors.
Police also found graphic photographs of the injured woman on El B.’s phone. His internet history allegedly contained searches relating to violent sex and a sedative that could be used to incapacitate someone for transportation.
El B. faces charges including attempted manslaughter, unlawful detention and rape involving violence. Prosecutors also said he is being pursued in a separate case involving the alleged assault of his former wife two years earlier.
The suspect is also due to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at the Pieter Baan Center to establish his mental capacity. It could be held that he is not criminally responsible for the crimes.
