On the morning of October 6, 1995, 15-year-old Nicole van den Hurk sets out on her bicycle, pedaling through the early mist towards her job at the Woensel shopping center in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Nicole never arrives, and by evening, her bicycle is discovered submerged in the river Dommel. The community is gripped by fear as police uncover her rucksack days later, sparking a desperate search that ends tragically when her body is found in the woods on November 22.
The investigation takes a dramatic turn years later when Nicole’s stepbrother, Andy, confesses to her murder on social media, leading to his arrest. However, his confession is retracted, and the case remains unsolved until DNA evidence collected from Nicole’s remains points to a new suspect. In January 2014, Jos de G., a man with a history of similar offenses, is arrested, charged with rape and manslaughter, and brought to trial.
In November 2016, Jos de G. is convicted of rape but acquitted of manslaughter. The prosecution appeals, and in 2018, he is found guilty of both charges, resulting in a twelve-year sentence. The case, marked by years of uncertainty and the evolving power of DNA analysis, reaches a bittersweet conclusion, leaving an indelible mark on the community and the justice system.
