Serbian parents of five presumably killed in small Dutch town

A couple found killed in Dishoek, Zeeland yesterday were a 43-year-old man and 39-year-old woman living in Middelburg about nine kilometers away, police stated on Friday. Neighbors living on the Tamariskenlaan in Middelburg believe the victims are Serbian parents of five children, noting that their turbulent marriage frequently required police intervention, according to the AD.

Those living along the Tamariskenlaan said the man may have served time in an area prison, and that his wife requested a restraining order against him for spousal abuse.

Among the couple’s children are a 13-year-old and a 3-year-old. They also have three grown-up kids, residents told the paper. They are now in state custody, according to the Telegraaf.

Neighbors noted strong similarities between the car found near the lifeless bodies and the couple’s own Mercedes, which had a set of boxing gloves hanging off the rear view mirror, reported AD.

The bodies were found in the shrubbery on the outskirts of Dishoek by someone walking through the area. The witness notified authorities around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, shortly after the grisly discovery.

Police are still investigating the circumstances around the death, and have not confirmed the identity of the victims.