Market merchant Andy de Heus (30) was shot dead in a cottage in Stevensweert after he got into an argument with Ronnie S. (51). This is what the prime suspect stated to the police, according to his lawyer.

On Tuesday, it was announced in court that Ronnie confessed. An issue surrounding a joint hemp plantation allegedly prompted the fatal conflict on Dec. 18, 2012.

Shot after argument

This plantation was in a cottage at park Porta Isola in Stevensweert. The two got into a fight in the cottage. "He reported that he got into an argument with Andy de Heus. That escalated and in the process he reached for a firearm," said Serge Weening, attorney for the Sittard prime suspect. "He fired at Andy de Heus."

Multiple suspects

Justice announced Tuesday, during the first hearing in the case, that there are other suspects in the picture. "I have legal evidence against several people in this case," the officer stated. In his statement, however, Ronnie did not mention others. "Client takes responsibility for what happened there. He has stated about himself that he is the one who did this." Whether he thereby exonerates others, Weening does not say. "Client just doesn't say anything about other persons."

Hell of a job

Ronnie also states that he is the one who "wrapped and buried" Andy de Heus. The body was found in 2016 near a pond in Stevensweert and was indeed buried. Justice, however, suspects that Ronnie had help. After all, it is a hell of a job to move a body AND bury it on your own. In addition, Ronnie's phone was not the only cell phone that was beaming on various telephone towers on the night of the murder.

Raid at Hicham's house

The phone of Hicham Z. (36) allegedly made contact with those same masts. For justice, these phone masts are part of the timeline. That Hicham was in the same places at the same time would show that he at least helped dispose of De Heus' body. Almost three years ago, the home of this suspect was also raided. The Roermond man allegedly knew Ronnie from the drug scene. Those involved do not, as yet, address the possible role of Hicham.

Murder in Germany

Incidentally, the prosecutor also let slip Tuesday that Ronnie has confessed to a second murder. Attorney Weening did not want to clarify that on Tuesday. According to a prosecutor's spokeswoman, this is an older case, playing in Oberhausen, Germany. "This is something he has talked about before, not in his last statement," she said.

The defendant(s) in this case are assisted by: