Man confesses to murder of wife in Rotterdam but is struggling to remember the events

Selçuk A. a 35-year-old man who is suspected of killing his 28-year-old wife in their home in Rotterdam-Lombardijen, has confessed to the murder but also stated that he cannot remember exactly what happened during the night. A prosecutor said this on Tuesday during the first preliminary hearing in the court case against A. at the court in Dordrecht. “I regret it,” the suspect said at the end of the hearing.

The woman’s body was found during the overnight hours of Friday, August 5, leading into Saturday, August 6, in the home. Attempts to resuscitate her were unsuccessful.

A. had repeatedly called the father and sister of the victim before this, telling them that they had to come to the apartment on the Dumasstraat as quickly as possible. Upon arrival, the two found their relative on the couch without any signs of life. The victim and A.’s baby was also found in the home. The girl had turned a year old a day earlier.

The suspect had already left in his car. The police arrested him near Oldenzaal. According to the Public Prosecution Service, he was headed towards Copenhagen.

A. had strangled the victim. He confessed after questioning by the police and the examining magistrate, but due to his faulty memory, it is not clear what happened prior to the violent act. Allegedly, the woman said that she wanted to divorce A. which led to him completely losing control, said the prosecutor.

According to the Public Prosecution Service, A. and the woman knew each other for five years, and they “seemed to be a happy couple.” However, there were concerns about A.’s financial troubles. The victim’s funeral in Turkey was incredibly well attended, according to the prosecutor.

The detective investigation is almost completed. A. is cooperating in a behavioral study by a psychologist and a psychiatrist.

The next preliminary hearing is set for December 16. It is not yet known when the case will be heard in detail.