Children Discover Buried Body in Zeebrugge Dunes: The Milena Raycheva Case

On August 17, 2010, what began as an ordinary summer day at the beach in Zeebrugge, Belgium, turned into a chilling discovery. Children of Swiss tourists, playing in the dunes, spotted a human hand protruding from the sand. The body, buried in a shallow grave just 40 centimeters deep, was that of 26-year-old Milena Raycheva, a Bulgarian national whose identity would remain unknown for two and a half years. The case, part of a series of so-called “beach murders” along the Belgian coast, ultimately led to the conviction of her partner, Kenan Bulut, in a trial that exposed a web of secrets, threats, and a deadly fire across the border in the Netherlands.

The Discovery and Identification

The body was found in an advanced state of decomposition, wearing white linen harem pants, a black vest, and a white T-shirt — her shoes were missing. The forensic doctor estimated the body had been there between 7 and 14 days, though up to 17 days was also possible. No precise cause of death could be determined, and no external signs of violence were discernible, as VRT NWS reported.

The victim carried no identification. A DNA profile was sent to all Interpol member countries, and a facial reconstruction was circulated internationally. The case was featured on Belgian crime program “Telefacts Crime” and Dutch program “Opsporing Verzocht.” It was not until February 2013 — two and a half years later — that a DNA match was finally made with the mother of Milena Raycheva, who had reported her daughter missing on August 10, 2010. Why the DNA match took so long remains unclear.

The Suspect: Kenan Bulut

Once identified, investigators quickly focused on Milena’s partner, Kenan Bulut, a Turkish-Dutch man from Rotterdam. Bulut had been in a relationship with Milena since 2007, and they had a young son together. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the prosecution’s case centered on a clear motive: Milena had threatened to reveal their relationship and child to Bulut’s family, including his ex-wife, with whom he had five children and from whom he had kept his divorce a secret.

Bulut’s brother-in-law recounted chilling threats: “He was going to kill her, shoot her dead, put her in a bag and throw her in the water with a heavy stone. No one would find her anymore.”

Bulut himself claimed that Milena disappeared on August 1, 2010, during a planned trip to London via the Calais ferry. He said she sent a text message saying she had left with her suitcase and 7,000 euros. Notably, Bulut only reported her missing on August 20 — three days after her body had already been discovered.

The Trial and Conviction

Bulut was arrested on January 21, 2015, and released on bail of 25,000 euros in January 2017. The trial finally took place in October 2022 at the Court of Assizes in Bruges, more than 12 years after the murder. As KW.be reported, the prosecution acknowledged weaknesses in the case: no forensic evidence placed Bulut at the scene, no cause of death could be established, and his phone was not registered near the Belgian coast. However, the prosecutor argued that Bulut’s behavior was “astonishingly suspicious” — he did nothing after Milena’s disappearance, remained silent after her identification, and showed deceptive reactions during a lie detector test.

On October 21, 2022, the jury found Bulut guilty. The court initially intended a sentence of 27 years but reduced it to 23 years, citing two mitigating circumstances: Bulut had continued to financially support his son and Milena’s other son, and he had no prior convictions for domestic violence. Additionally, the court found that the “reasonable time” limit had been exceeded, as the investigation took over six years after his arrest.

The Rotterdam Fire Connection

Adding a macabre twist to the case, Bulut was separately convicted in the Netherlands for a fatal fire in his Rotterdam apartment on April 13, 2019. His upstairs neighbor, 27-year-old Robert Hendrix, jumped from a window to escape the flames and died. As KW.be reported, Bulut received a 10-year sentence for the fire. The Dutch prosecutor suggested a link to the dune murder, noting that Bulut claimed he had evidence proving his innocence stored in his apartment — evidence allegedly destroyed in the blaze.

Analysis and Implications

The Milena Raycheva case highlights several challenges in cross-border criminal investigations. The 2.5-year delay in identifying the victim hampered the investigation from the start. The lack of forensic evidence and an established cause of death made the prosecution’s case circumstantial, relying heavily on motive and suspicious behavior. The case also underscores the tension between a defendant’s right to a speedy trial — protected under Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights — and the complexity of serious crime investigations.

What’s Next

Kenan Bulut is currently serving his 23-year sentence in Belgium. His appeal in the Rotterdam fire case remains unresolved. For the family of Milena Raycheva, the conviction brought some closure, but many questions remain unanswered — including the exact cause of her death and whether Bulut was actually present in Zeebrugge when she was killed. The case serves as a somber reminder that even the most scenic coastal landscapes can conceal dark and enduring mysteries.