The third episode of World’s Most Notorious Killers on Peacock revisits the harrowing experiences of Sabine Dardenne and Laëtitia Delhez, who were abducted and imprisoned by the notorious serial killer Marc Dutroux in 1996.
Titled Monsters of Belgium, this episode launched on Peacock alongside the series’ four episodes on September 17, 2024. The official description for episode three states:
“Belgian police are unsure whether they have caught a serial killer or unmasked a child s*x ring.”
Sabine Dardenne was taken captive first, followed by Laëtitia Delhez a month later. Fortunately, they were both rescued and reunited with their families on August 15, 1996. Today, Sabine Dardenne is a well-known Belgian author, while Laëtitia Delhez prefers to stay out of the public eye, living quietly with her family in Belgium.
Marc Dutroux’s Abduction Timeline
On May 28, 1996, 12-year-old Sabine Dardenne was kidnapped by Marc Dutroux while on her way to school. She was imprisoned in a dungeon located in Dutroux’s home in Sars-la-Buissière. Subsequently, 14-year-old Laëtitia Delhez fell victim to his abduction on August 9, 1996, and was also confined in the same horrific dungeon alongside Sabine.
During Laëtitia’s abduction, a local eyewitness noted the red truck and its license plate, which became crucial evidence for the Belgian authorities.
Rescue of Sabine Dardenne and Laëtitia Delhez
After Laëtitia Delhez was kidnapped, law enforcement officers successfully tracked down Marc Dutroux on August 13, 1996, using the license plate from his truck.
Just two days after the arrest, Dutroux revealed the location of his hidden victims, leading to their rescue from the underground dungeon. Reports indicate that both girls suffered abuse and torture at the hands of Dutroux, leaving them deeply traumatized.
Current Lives of Sabine Dardenne and Laëtitia Delhez
Sabine Dardenne has since gained recognition as a Belgian author and published her memoir titled I Choose to Live in 2020, which details her abduction at the age of twelve and her journey of healing after the traumatic experiences she endured.
According to Google Books, the book’s official synopsis states:
“On May 28th, 1996, Sabine Dardenne, twelve years old, was kidnapped by Marc Dutroux, a paedophile and multiple offender who had already raped other young girls in Belgium. I Choose to Live is her testimony—both courageous and uplifting.”
Information about Laëtitia Dalhez remains scarce online; however, The Brussels Times reported that both women were approached by Amazon to create a series based on their captivity experiences in Dutroux’s home. Negotiations, however, did not proceed, as Sabine declined to collaborate with Amazon.
Sabine’s attorney commented on the situation, stating:
“Not for €50,000 would Sabine want to speak about Dutroux. After the trial, she documented her story in a book. As far as she’s concerned, the case is closed once and for all.”
Laëtitia Dalhez similarly received a proposal from Amazon but, according to a May 2021 report from The Brussels Times, she did not respond to the offer.
Marc Dutroux’s Conviction
Marc Dutroux was first convicted in 1989 for the abduction and rape of five minors, leading to a prison sentence. However, he was released in 1992 after serving just three years. Following the police investigation of Laëtitia Delhez’s abduction in 1996, he was apprehended again.
Upon the discovery of the two girls in the dungeon, law enforcement also uncovered additional remains of several missing persons on Marc’s property. Alongside Marc Dutroux, his wife Michelle Martin and several accomplices, including Michel Lelièvre, Bernard Weinstein, and Michel Nihoul, were arrested.
In 2004, after his arrest in 1996, Dutroux was found guilty of numerous crimes—including sexual abuse, torture, and abduction—and received a life sentence. He has been in solitary confinement ever since.
To learn more about this troubling case, watch World’s Most Notorious Killers episode 3 on Peacock.
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