On 25 July 2023, a passer-by on the Albert Canal, which links the Belgian cities of Liège and Antwerp, spotted a fridge floating in the water and pulled it out. When a pungent smell hit his nose, he immediately called the water police. When the police arrived at the scene in Hermalle-sous-Argenteau and opened the fridge, they were met with a horrific sight. Inside lay the decomposing arms and legs of a woman, along with a saw, which had presumably been used to dismember her. As the woman had clearly been killed violently, the homicide division of the Federal Criminal Police in Liège was put in charge of the murder investigation. The woman found in the fridge was identified as 74-year-old Maria Verdoolaege, and her 35-year-old son, Ismael, quickly became a prime suspect. This was because the police had received an anonymous call 10 days earlier. In it, a man claimed that an acquaintance of his had confided that his son had killed his mother in Jemeppe, dismembered her and disposed of her remains in a fridge in the Albert Canal. As the man was heavily intoxicated, little credence was given to his claim; nevertheless, a patrol car was dispatched to the home of the allegedly murdered woman on Rue Grand-Vinâve, which they literally turned upside down without finding the slightest indication of a crime. Questioning the neighbours revealed that the elderly lady was said to be on holiday in Italy with her friend. Following these statements, the police withdrew and shelved the case for the time being, until the body parts matching the description in the anonymous call were found in the fridge. Just a few days later, the woman’s torso and head were found in a rubbish container floating in the water a few kilometres from the initial discovery site. Macabrely, the head had been hidden in a deep-fat fryer. A chip had been found in the rubbish container, which belonged to the house next door to the murder victim, and it was clearly Ismael’s. Due to the overwhelming evidence, he was arrested at a hotel in Brussels, where he already had a flight ticket to Korea in order to flee. During questioning, Ismael – who had moved back in with his mother during the COVID-19 pandemic – confessed to her murder. He had been harassed and bullied by her for years, until he strangled her on 10 July 2023. He then dismembered her body with a saw and disposed of the body parts in the fridge and in a rubbish bin, which he threw into the Albert Canal. This solved the mystery of the dead woman in the fridge, who had been murdered by her son, who has been in pre-trial detention ever since.
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
Isabella Mueller (crime writer)
