Woman, 56, found killed in Scheveningen wood; locals shocked

The body of a 56-year-old woman was found in the woods in Scheveningen on Saturday. The police believe she was killed by violence. Local residents are shocked and disturbed by what happened, Omroep West reports.

Passersby spotted the body on Saturday afternooon and called the police. The Scheveningen woods, close to the World Forum and Madurodam, is a popular place for locals to walk their dog. The victim also did so on a regular basis, according to the police. A large forensic investigation was done at the scene on Saturday and Sunday. And the police are looking for witnesses.

One woman and her husband regularly walk their dog in the woods. "You know most people, you keep an eye on each other and ask how it goes", she said to Omroep West. Her husband was there on Saturday morning. He noticed a small white dog, a Jack Russel, walking by itself. "It seemed like he didn't belong anywhere", according to the woman.

Three other women, also walking their dogs, told the broadcaster that they found what happened "quite intense". "I will not go here alone again soon", one said. Another woman who was cycling in the woods wonders whether she knows the victim. "I don't like this idea", she said. "During the day it is often busy with walking services." But once it starts to get dark, the woods are a lot less pleasant in her opinion. "There are often strange types on the benches, you feel watched," she said.

Though not linking public sex to the woman's murder, locals also told Omroep West that the woods are used as a cruising spot for gay men and expressed concern about how the area is patrolled and monitored.