Family and friends commemorate murder victim 47 years on; outraged by killer's release

A somber commemoration took place in Zwijnaarde for Roland Steyaert and his family, who were murdered 47 years ago. Approximately 50 relatives and friends gathered at the grave to lay flowers and share memories.

Johan Steyaert, Roland's brother, expressed his gratitude for the enduring remembrance, noting that he still receives messages of support from people, even from abroad. He finds it heartwarming that his brother and family are not forgotten.

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It does me good that these people are here. I regularly still receive messages from people who want to express their support. Even from abroad.

However, the recent decision to grant the murderer, Freddy Horion, a day-release permit and allow him to leave prison has cast a bitter shadow over the commemoration. Steyaert finds the decision "incomprehensible," stating he never expected Horion to be released, especially as he is in the "final stretch of his life."

In 1979, Freddy Horion and an accomplice murdered five members of the Steyaert family during a robbery. The victims included Roland Steyaert, his wife Leona, their daughter Hilde, and her fiancé Marc De Croock. The family's grave monument stands as a testament to the tragedy.

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I had never expected that he would be released. I am in the final stretch of my life. That this is still being done to us, I find it incomprehensible.