Court Acquits Ruben B. in 1992 Dutch Garage Murder, Points to Son as Likely Killer

Overview

• The Hague court, which delivered its verdict Tuesday, cleared 71-year-old Ruben B. of killing garage owner Loek van Dam in 1992.
• Judges said the case had no forensic proof and that shifting or withdrawn family statements and 1992 wiretaps could not support a conviction.
• The court indicated a son of B. was the probable shooter based on his access to the victim, family conflict over an affair, and B.'s taped remark naming him.
• The panel said it could not rule out that the son acted alone or that an unknown person entered after him, so it could not prove B. ordered the crime.
• The investigation was revived after a 2022 tip, leading to B.'s 2025 re-arrest, yet the killing remains unsolved.