© Police Fédérale Belgique
Belgian authorities have arrested Ion Alexandroae on suspicion of murdering his wife, Lucia Alexandroae, who has been missing since December 2022, following the recent discovery of her DNA in a rented car.
The husband of Lucia Alexandroae, a woman of Romanian descent who used to work in the Grand Duchy and who has been missing since December 2022, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murder. The last confirmed sighting of the missing person was on 8 December 2022. Despite extensive efforts by authorities in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, including multiple searches of the couple's residence, her whereabouts remain unknown to this day.
According to Belgian newspaper L'Avenir, investigators have allegedly recently discovered DNA traces of the young mother in a rented car. On Tuesday, another search was conducted at the couple's home near Arlon, Belgium, and at the husband's second residence in Germany. These efforts led to his arrest on Wednesday, shortly after which he was presented to an examining magistrate in Arlon.
Ion Alexandroae, a former Romanian police inspector, was previously under suspicion in early 2023, but was not charged due to insufficient evidence. He denies any involvement in his wife's disappearance and has been caring for their three-year-old daughter since. However, he is now in custody awaiting further investigation.
Further details have not been disclosed by Belgian authorities.
Missing since 2022
Lucia Alexandroae, who also holds a Luxembourgish passport despite residing in Sterpenich near Arlon, worked as an accountant in the Grand Duchy. For Lucia's family and friends, her absence is deeply troubling as they are convinced she would not willingly leave her young daughter alone.
The last time her family heard from her was on 8 December, 2022. After that date, she travelled to Romania, but did not contact them again and also did not return to work as planned on 9 January 2023.
