Wierden residents, mayor “shocked” after incident leaves one dead,one critically injured

Shock and grief rippled through the town of Wierden on Monday after a woman was critically injured in a stabbing and a man was found dead outside the De Schakel apartment complex on Stationsplein, Tubantia reports.

Several residents described being awakened by the arrival of emergency helicopters shortly after 7 a.m. “I just heard the trauma helicopter overhead,” one neighbor told Tubantia. “I had no idea what was going on until I looked outside and saw the police everywhere.”

A woman who lives in the complex said she heard shouting followed by a heavy thud. “She told me she saw the neighbor lying outside and immediately called emergency services. She’s completely distraught,” another resident told the newspaper.

Neighbors described the man as known in the community through church and local committees. “He had serious mental health problems,” one resident told Tubantia. “I knew he had a major burnout, but I didn’t think it had gotten this bad.”

Forensics officers, a police drone unit, and a trauma team responded to the scene. Police placed privacy screens and a red tent in front of the building, and the area was sealed off for hours. By late morning, the body had been removed, and the investigation continued at the scene.

Authorities believe the incident may have been a domestic conflict. Police have not confirmed whether the man stabbed his wife before dying by suicide. The woman remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Acting Mayor Gerrit Jan Kok issued a statement saying he was “shocked” by the events. “A resident was found injured in her home on Stationsplein, and nearby police found a deceased man, also a resident of that address,” his office confirmed. He extended condolences to the victims and the community and added that the municipality would issue a more detailed response after the police investigation is complete.

The Wierden incident follows two other deadly domestic violence cases in the Netherlands in the past week. In Vlijmen, a 38-year-old woman was fatally attacked in her home while her 3-year-old child was present. Her boyfriend was arrested. In Gouda, 39-year-old Jouweela was shot dead by her ex-partner in front of their two children. He later took his own life.

A woman is killed in the Netherlands every eight days. In 60 percent of the cases, the murder is committed by her partner or ex. After decades of decline, the number of femicides in the country has remained stable over the past decade, NOS had previously reported.