Suspect took kids camping 2 weeks after Dutch boy's murder: report

Jos B., the man suspected of involvement in the murder of 11-year-old Nicky Verstappen in 1998, went on a summer camp with young scouts in Belgium just two weeks after the Dutch Boy's murder. He spent several days with the young scouts as guest leader, De Limburger reports based on its own research.

Scouting club Sint Hubertus from Nuth stayed in Ozo in the Belgian Ardennes from August 22nd to 29th, 1998. Nicky was found murdered at a summer camp in Brunssummerheide on August 10th of that year.

Nicky's murder was reason for the campers to place their tents closer together, one of the scout leaders told the newspaper. The leaders also made extra rounds throughout the trip, to make sure everyone was safe. During the camp, Nicky's tragic death was discussed. "And Jos was just there. Unbelievable."

The week after his stay in the Ardennes, B. also went camping with scouting club Welten in Broekhuizen.

Jos B. was identified as a suspect in Nicky Verstappen's murder 20 years after the boy's death. DNA found on the boy was matched to B. in a large DNA kinship investigation. B. didn't participate in the investigation, but members of his family did.

He was arrested in a remote area around 50 kilometers from Barcelona on August 26th, and extradited to the Netherlands on September 6th. The 55-year-old man from Simpelveld is currently in restricted custody, which means he is only allowed contact with his lawyers.