Suspect confesses to murdering his mother, says he can't remember mutilation

Timothy B., a 32-year-old who was accused of murdering his 52-year-old mother, confessed to the crime last month, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) said on Tuesday during a preliminary hearing in the case.

B. is accused of shooting his mother in the head and stabbing her in the chest and neck on January 7. The woman’s body was found two days later in the suspect’s bathtub in Landsmeer.

In his confession, B. stated that he only remembers shooting his mother. The man had declined to respond to the accusations earlier in the case. He was not present at the hearing in the court in Amsterdam.

The victim’s lower legs had been sawn off and remain missing to this day. B. has said that he also remembers nothing of the mutilation. Prosecutors say that he intended to mutilate every part of his mother’s body.

During his confession, B. said that he had been sexually abused by his mother during his childhood. He had met up with her at his home on the day of the murder and confronted her about the abuse. The woman laughed at the accusations, which led to B. grabbing a gun from the kitchen and shooting her in the head, he claims.

The suspect’s sister was questioned about the alleged abuse, prosecutors said, and she responded by saying that she knows nothing about the accusations. Anyone else who may have known about it, like B.’s father, has passed away.

B.’s lawyer had already announced during the initial preliminary hearing that his client would make a statement. According to the attorney, it was “a difficult step” for him.

The victim was reported missing at the time. Her body was found after one of the suspect’s ex-girlfriends found the victim’s bloody slippers and a gun in a garbage bag in the toilet. The suspect’s DNA was found on the gun, bullet casings, knives, and a saw.

In September, B. will be sent to the Pieter Baan Center for a psychological evaluation. According to the OM, the police investigation has been completed. The next preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 26. It is not yet known when the court will begin substantive proceedings in the case.