Crime Immemorial

The Brabant Killings, also known as the Bende van Nijvel (Gang of Nijvel) or the Tueurs du Brabant (Brabant Killers), represent one of Belgium’s most infamous and enduring unsolved crime sprees. Between 1982 and 1985, a small group of assailants—widely believed to consist of three core members—carried out a series of violent armed robberies and shootings, primarily targeting supermarkets but also striking restaurants, arms dealers, and other locations. The attacks left twenty-eight people dead and at least twenty-two injured, instilling widespread fear across the country and exposing deep flaws in Belgium’s law enforcement and judicial systems.

The crimes unfolded in two main phases. The early attacks in 1982 were relatively low-key: small-scale robberies of supermarkets, restaurants, and occasionally gun shops, with minimal violence and small hauls of cash. The perpetrators used firearms but initially avoided unnecessary killings.

From 1983 onward, however, the violence escalated dramatically. The gang adopted a far more ruthless approach, shooting indiscriminately at customers, staff, and bystanders, even when little resistance was offered and the amounts stolen remained modest (often just a few thousand francs). Victims included ordinary shoppers, families, children, and store employees. Some reports describe execution-style killings, with victims shot at close range or even tortured before death.

The attackers were typically described as three men wearing dark clothing, balaclavas or masks, and sometimes face paint to obscure their features. Witnesses gave them nicknames based on physical descriptions; the first of these was dubbed “The Giant” (Le Géant / De Reus), described as a tall, imposing figure believed to be the leader. The second was “The Killer” (Le Tueur / De Killer), so named for his aggression and willingness to shoot. The third member was nicknamed “The Old Man” (Le Vieux / De Oude), since he was noticeably older than the others.

The trio communicated little during the raids, often shouting commands in French or Flemish, and used military-style precision in their movements. Weapons included pump-action shotguns, rifles, and a distinctive 7.65mm Ortgies pistol.

Notable crimes in the early phase (1982–early 1983) focused on theft with limited fatalities. On March 13th, 1982, for example, the gang stole a shotgun from a store in Dinant, and no victims were reported.

Likewise, on August 14th, 1982, there was a grocery store robbery in Maubeuge, France; food and wine was stolen, but again, there were no deaths.

The gang then perpetrated an armed robbery of a weapons dealer in Wavre on September 30, 1982. In this haul, fifteen firearms were stolen, including sub-machine guns.

There was a significant escalation on December 23rd, 1982; in an attack at a restaurant/inn in Genval, the owner José Vanden Eynde found bound, undressed, possibly tortured, and murdered.

Then, on January 9th, 1983, taxi driver Angelou Constantin was found murdered in his trunk.

The violence continued to intensify in 1983 with indiscriminate shootings. On February 11th, 1983, there was an attack in the Nivelles area: a couple was murdered at an all-night fuel station next to a Delhaize, and then the arriving police officers were also shot.

There were other similar incidents throughout 1983 and 1984, including multiple Delhaize and Colruyt supermarket raids in places like Uccle, Genval, and others, in which random customers and staff were shot; several deaths and injuries accumulated.

The deadliest phase in the Brabant Killings took place in fall of 1985, when there were three major supermarket attacks in quick succession, claiming thirteen lives total.

On September 27th, 1985, there was an armed robbery with shootings at a Delhaize supermarket in Braine-l’Alleud, in which fatalities occurred. Later that same day, another Delhaize store in Overijse was the site of another robbery, in which victim Leon Finné was shot dead in the parking lot.

The most infamous incident took place around seven thirty p.m. on November 9th, 1985 at Delhaize supermarket in Aalst (Parklaan). The gang burst in, firing wildly and taunting victims, reportedly laughing or smiling as they did so. They killed eight people in minutes, despite an armed patrol nearby and minimal resistance. Less than $25,000 was ultimately stolen.

Victims included the Van de Steen family: Gilbert (father), Thérèse (mother), and nine-year-old Rebecca were shot dead in the parking lot after shopping. Their surviving son, nine-year-old David Van de Steen, ran back inside and was singled out, then shot point-blank in the hip (he survived but was severely wounded). Other victims were ordinary shoppers and employees cowering or fleeing; some were executed at close range.

The gang fled in a Volkswagen Golf, were pursued briefly by law enforcement, but escaped. After this final major attack in late 1985, the gang abruptly stopped. No further crimes have been definitively linked to them.

The investigation became one of Belgium’s most sprawling and criticized police operations. Multiple agencies—the Gendarmerie, local police, and later federal authorities—overlapped, leading to jurisdictional conflicts, lost evidence, and allegations of incompetence or even cover-ups.

Numerous theories emerged over the decades, including links to far-right extremist groups; connections to elements within the police, military, or security services; or ties to organized crime or even foreign actors.

Despite thousands of leads, DNA analysis, fingerprint checks, exhumations, and arrests, no one was ever convicted. High-profile moments included a 2017 deathbed confession claim from a former policeman (Christiaan Bonkoffsky), which was later discredited, and periodic media revivals of the case.

The official investigation was closed in June 2024 due to lack of active leads, prompting outrage from victims’ families who called the decision premature. However, in 2025 new developments emerged: courts ordered further examination of witnesses and a lead involving two deceased French brothers (Thierry and Xavier Sliman), known for armed robberies in northern France during the same period. As of early 2026, some investigative steps continue thanks to civil parties pushing for additional work, though the case remains unsolved and no perpetrators have been identified or charged.

The Brabant killings left a profound scar on Belgian society. They exposed institutional failures, fueled conspiracy theories that persist today, and contributed to reforms in policing and judicial coordination.

More than four decades later, the identities of “The Giant,” “The Killer,” and “The Old Man” are still unknown.