Dutch woman, 80, found dead in France after days missing; husband still unaccounted for
A missing 80-year-old woman from Alphen aan den Rijn has been found dead in France, according to her family. Her 83-year-old husband remains unaccounted for, and the search for him is ongoing, NOS reported.
The woman’s body was discovered Wednesday, though French authorities have not disclosed the location due to the ongoing efforts to locate her husband. Officials say there is no indication of foul play at this time.
The Dutch couple left their home in Alphen aan den Rijn about a week ago, intending to travel to their vacation house in Planchez, a village in the Morvan region approximately 80 kilometers west of Dijon. They never arrived. Belgian police say the couple was last seen in Charleroi, where they had stopped en route. After that, they appear to have become lost.
The couple had not been reachable by phone since last Friday. According to the family, the man's phone has been switched off, raising serious concern because he has diabetes and monitors his blood sugar via his phone. His medication was found still at home.
Dutch police are working with French authorities on the investigation. The family said they are devastated by the death of their (in-law) mother and grandmother and are deeply worried about the (in-law) father and grandfather. “The search for him is now our highest priority,” they said in a statement, adding that they would not be sharing further details at this stage to allow investigators to do their work.
