Suspect convicted of killing Italian sex worker and dumping her body in Amsterdam river

The district court of Amsterdam has sentenced 41-year-old Bas W. from Zwanenburg to ten years in prison and mandatory psychiatric treatment for the fatal assault of Sara Barbarossa, 35, and disposing of her body in the IJ. His brother was also found guilty of helping him hide the body. However, he was released and has not been formally charged, according to Het Parool.

“Phone records show that the man was the victim’s last contact on November 28, 2023. She had been at his home that day for a sexual encounter,” the Amsterdam District Court said in a statement. Sara was a sex worker from Italy, her body was found a day later on November 29 near the ferry to the Distelweg. W. was arrested on December 2.

Days later, police found garbage bags containing her belongings at an Amsterdam waste processing center. The bags contained her phone, a black collar with silver rings, and blood-soaked bedding. “The victim was naked and wrapped in construction materials. She had extensive injuries, particularly in the pubic area,” the court continued.

The court agreed that the prosecution’s recommendation of 14 years in prison was appropriate, but decided that such a long sentence would hinder and delay the psychiatric treatment, which will begin after the prison time has been served. As a result, the court imposed a ten-year prison term.

W. suffers from a personality disorder and addiction issues, with the court stating that his condition involves impaired control over impulses and aggression. “He tends to use sex as a means of coping with stress and often exhibits extreme behavior in that context.”

The court found it proven that the man intentionally took the victim’s life, citing forensic reports indicating evidence that the suspect strangled the woman for “an extended period.” Even if this had been an accidental death, the perpetrator knew there was a “high risk” the woman would die as a result.

“Shortly before killing her, he assaulted her with extreme violence. In addition to manslaughter, he was also guilty of aggravated assault," the court added.

The suspect’s brother was also found guilty of disposing of the body. The brother supplied a boat and attached an anchor to it to ensure that the body would sink without resurfacing.

W. has also been ordered to pay Sara’s parents more than 75,000 euros in compensation.