Man, 61, arrested in renewed investigation into 2011 Hilversum murder

Police arrested a man on Tuesday in the investigation into a murder in Hilversum in 2011. It concerns a 61-year-old man from Bussum, who is suspected of involvement in the death of Pablo Hermeler.

According to police, several individuals had already been arrested in the case before, including the man who has now been taken into custody again. Those earlier arrests ultimately did not result in any convictions due to a lack of evidence.

Police reopened the case last year. According to investigators, new leads have emerged pointing to the involvement of the suspect from Bussum. “Because the investigation is still ongoing, we cannot provide further details at this stage,” the police added.

The victim was discovered lifeless in his flat on Oosterengweg on July 14, 2011. Forensic investigation has established that he was the victim of a fatal violent assault on the same day.

Police say the 50-year-old Hermeler was known to have extensive contacts in the drug scene, which may have been a possible motive for his killing. Police assume that, alongside the deadly assault, the victim was also the target of a robbery.

Police say Hermeler had been robbed on multiple occasions in the months leading up to his death, as his declining health made him more vulnerable. Offenders were reportedly after both cash and drugs.

Hermeler’s killing was highlighted nationally in 2020 when the case was included in the police Cold Case Calendar.