Serial Killer Renaud Hardy Dies in Bruges Prison at 64

Renaud Hardy, one of Belgium’s most notorious serial killers, has died at the age of 64 in the sick bay of Bruges prison, the Belgian Prison Service has confirmed. Hardy, who was serving a life sentence for two murders with rape and torture, as well as two attempted murders, died from complications of Parkinson’s disease, a condition he had suffered from since 2006.

“Serial killer Renaud Hardy died in prison last night,” said Kathleen Van De Vijver, spokesperson for the Prison Service, as reported by VRT NWS.

A String of Brutal Crimes

Hardy’s violent spree spanned from 2014 to 2015, though he is also suspected in earlier crimes dating back to 2009. His first known murder occurred in May 2014, when he strangled 82-year-old Maria Walschaerts with a bicycle lock in Leest. Months later, he shot a female cyclist in the back with an airgun in Mechelen; she survived.

In February 2015, Hardy attacked Belgian actress Veerle Eyckermans, known for roles in Merlina, Thuis, and Postbus X, with a wooden stick. She was severely injured but managed to escape, later becoming a key witness in his trial.

The violence reached its peak on 16 September 2015, when Hardy tortured, raped, and murdered his 52-year-old former girlfriend Linda Doms in Zemst. He filmed the entire attack, which lasted over 40 minutes. Investigators discovered the footage on a memory card just days later, leading to his arrest on 21 September 2015, as detailed by The Brussels Times.

The Parkinson’s Defense Controversy

Hardy’s case drew international attention due to the unusual role of his Parkinson’s disease in his criminal defense. Diagnosed in 2006, he began dopamine-replacement therapy in 2010. At his 2018 trial, prominent neurologist Chris Van der Linden testified that the dopamine agonists Hardy was taking carried severe psychiatric risks, including impulse control disorders that could trigger extreme aggression.

“Hardy only becomes a serial killer when he starts taking Parkinson’s medication,” Van der Linden testified, as reported by HLN.

However, the jury at the Assize Court of Tongeren rejected this defense, finding that Hardy acted deliberately and methodically. They noted he wore gloves to avoid leaving traces, wiped away evidence, left his phone at home to avoid tracking, and fled when caught — all indicating conscious, controlled behavior. According to VRT NWS’s 2018 trial coverage, the jury declared him criminally responsible, stating: “He worked deliberately and methodically.”

Continued Violence Behind Bars

Hardy remained violent throughout his incarceration. In 2025, he stabbed a fellow inmate in the head with a ballpoint pen at Merksplas prison, leading to his transfer to Beveren prison. Prison authorities reported that the ballpoint pen incident was not an isolated event — the serial killer had caused problems repeatedly.

Weeks before his death, Hardy was transferred to the Bruges prison medical unit as his health declined from Parkinson’s disease. He died on 9 July 2026 in the prison sick bay.

A Dark Chapter Closed

Hardy’s death closes a dark chapter in Belgian criminal justice history. Dubbed “The Parkinson’s Murderer” by Belgian media, his case highlighted complex legal and ethical questions around criminal responsibility when medication-induced behavioral changes are involved. The rejection of the Parkinson’s defense set a significant precedent in Belgian law.

Surviving victim Veerle Eyckermans, who was awarded €200,000 in damages in 2024, will no longer face the possibility of further legal proceedings involving Hardy. For the families of Maria Walschaerts and Linda Doms, his death in prison brings a final end to a case that captivated and horrified the nation.

According to Wikipedia, Hardy is also considered the suspected perpetrator of the murder of an 85-year-old in Boortmeerbeek in December 2011, though he was never formally charged for that crime.

What’s Next

Hardy’s death comes on the same day as another high-profile Belgian prisoner death — Pierre Devalet, the mastermind behind the double femicide in Kraainem, also died in prison on 9 July 2026. The coinciding deaths have raised questions about prison medical care for inmates with degenerative diseases in Belgium’s correctional system.

No further investigations into Hardy’s potential involvement in other unsolved crimes have been announced.