The Disappearance of Nicole van den Hurk
On November 20, 1995, 15-year-old Nicole van den Hurk vanished while cycling to her job at a shopping center in Eindhoven, Netherlands. She never arrived for her shift. That evening, authorities found her rucksack and bicycle nearby. A month later, searchers discovered her body in adjacent woodland, showing signs of assault and multiple stab wounds.
The case drew national attention, with hundreds joining searches and thousands attending her funeral. Despite extensive efforts, no arrests followed, and the investigation eventually stalled.
A Cold Case Stagnates
In February 1996, police arrested a family acquaintance on drug charges. He claimed coercion by those responsible for Nicole’s death, alleging involvement in heroin smuggling. Investigators dismissed his story, and the case faded from headlines.
Detectives shifted to other priorities. A 2004 cold case review yielded no new leads, leaving the family frustrated.
Brother’s Bold Strategy
By 2011, Andy van den Hurk, Nicole’s stepbrother living in the UK, took drastic action. On March 11, he posted on Facebook: “I will be arrested today [for] the murder of my sister, I confessed.”
British police detained him and extradited him to the Netherlands. Five days later, lacking evidence, authorities released him. Andy retracted his confession, explaining, “I wanted to get [Nicole] exhumed and get DNA off her. I kind of set myself up and it could have gone horribly wrong. She is my sister. I miss her every day.”
DNA Breakthrough and Suspect Identified
Andy’s ploy revived interest. In September 2011, police exhumed Nicole’s body and conducted DNA analysis. Traces matched her boyfriend and an unidentified man.
Further testing identified the DNA as belonging to Jos de G, then 46, a former psychiatric patient with prior convictions, including rape. One case mirrored Nicole’s: he attacked a young cyclist in a nearby town, raping her at knifepoint.
Trial Outcome
In April 2014, prosecutors charged Jos de G with Nicole’s rape and murder. His defense argued the semen on her body and coat stemmed from a consensual act.
Charges dropped to manslaughter. After two years in court, he was acquitted of that but received five years for rape. The Dutch Supreme Court upheld the sentence in June 2020.
