Wheelchair-Bound Man, 70, Accused of Killing Fellow Nursing Home Resident, 90
A 70-year-old man with one leg, care-dependent and confined to a wheelchair, has been accused of involvement in the death of a 90-year-old fellow resident at Woonzorgcentrum Rustenhove in Ledegem, West Flanders. The case has shocked the local community and raised profound questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident, as the suspect’s severe physical disabilities stand in stark contrast to the serious allegations against him.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the suspect, identified only as B.G., appeared before the raadkamer (pre-trial detention chamber) in Kortrijk on Friday, where his detention was extended. The defense did not oppose the extension.
The Incident
The confrontation occurred on the night of April 10-11, 2026, on the closed dementia ward “Zonnebloem” at WZC Rustenhove, a care center with 129 living units including 32 secured spaces for residents with behavioral or memory problems. The victim, G.S., aged 90 and described as “physically frail” with a “particularly difficult character,” sustained severe injuries during the altercation and died on April 15.
As VRT NWS reported at the time, Liesbet D’hont, coordinator of WZC Rustenhove, stated: “This event has a severe impact on families, residents, staff, and volunteers. We surround them with the greatest care and cooperate fully with the investigation.”
A Striking Contrast
When B.G. appeared in court, journalists described a scene that defied expectations of a violent offender. The man was wheeled into the Kortrijk courthouse by security personnel, dressed in grey prison clothing, missing a lower leg with his trouser leg hanging loosely beside the wheelchair. Witnesses described him as appearing resigned, his eyes darting around the room.
Focus-WTV confirmed that the investigating judge arrested B.G. in late April, and the raadkamer subsequently confirmed his detention. The suspect was initially transferred to a psychiatric facility in Menen following the incident before being placed in Bruges prison.
Legal Uncertainty
The precise charges against B.G. remain unclear. Prosecution spokesperson Sofie Vanden Berghe confirmed that the public prosecutor’s office had ordered an investigation “against unknown persons concerning the unclear death of a 90-year-old man.” The legal qualification ranges from intentional assault without intent to kill, to manslaughter, and even murder — a broad spectrum reflecting the complexity of the case.
Defense lawyer Louisa Demeulemeester described the situation as “a particularly complex story,” adding: “The investigation will clarify what happened. That takes time. We are not opposing the extension of detention.”
Broader Implications
The case raises difficult questions about safety and supervision in dementia care facilities. Both the suspect and victim were residents of a secured ward for individuals with cognitive impairments, meaning questions of criminal responsibility and psychiatric evaluation are central to the proceedings.
An autopsy has been performed, and the investigation is being led by an investigating judge in Kortrijk. The exact trigger for the confrontation, how injuries were inflicted given B.G.’s physical limitations, and whether staff were present at the time remain unanswered questions.
What’s Next
B.G. remains in custody at Bruges prison as the investigation continues. A psychiatric evaluation is expected to play a crucial role in determining both criminal responsibility and the appropriate charges. The case has sparked broader discussion in Belgium about staffing levels in nursing homes, the care of residents with dementia, and how the justice system handles incidents involving individuals with diminished capacity.
The community in Ledegem, a small town in West Flanders, has been left in shock by the incident, which highlights the complex and often tragic situations that can arise in care facilities for the elderly.