In a horrific turn of events, a 39-year-old woman from Eindhoven was found dead in Gouda after being shot by her ex-partner, Driekus K (53).
While the killer initially escaped by car, a lengthy search found him grievously injured in the dunes near Zwarte Pad, Scheveningen, the very same day (July 15).
Despite emergency services rushing to administer first aid, police report that the killer died at the scene. The death is suspected to be a suicide.
The killer left a trail of violence
As multiple sources tell RTL Nieuws, the victim and her two children had sought refuge in a women’s shelter.
As of 2025, the couple had been separated for about nine years, with a troubled history between them. The victim had even filed a police report last month, alleging not only abuse, but the fact that her ex-partner owned a firearm.
However, on June 18, the court decided there were insufficient grounds to hold Driekus K. Then, two and a half weeks after the alarming charges were filed, the man was released.
According to various social media posts made by the killer, he was furious to learn that his ex had taken their children to a women’s shelter.
Driekus K then tracked the victim down and then brutally shot her on the sidewalk.
The Netherlands sees an alarming rise in femicide
With the killer now dead, there will be no public criminal hearing, and no further investigation will take place.
For many, however, Dutch police washing their hands of responsibility after the fact is simply not good enough.
As reported by Leiden University’s Femicide Factsheet, approximately every two weeks, a woman is killed at the hands of her (former) partner.
How do you feel about the growing trend of violence against women in the Netherlands? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
“allegedly abusive ex-boyfriend” She’s dead. I think it’s fair to say he was pretty abusive.
“approximately every two weeks, a woman is killed at the hands of her (former) partner”, “However, on June 18, the court decided there were insufficient grounds to hold Driekus K. Then, two and a half weeks after the alarming charges were filed, the man was released.” An example of how the judicial system in the Netherlands is failing to protect its people, but who dares tell the Dutch something negative about their country!