A horrific murder investigation is unfolding in Spain’s Canary Islands after the dismembered body of a missing Belgian expat was discovered dumped at a landfill site on the popular tourist island of Fuerteventura.
Police have since arrested the woman’s 22-year-old son on suspicion of murder following what authorities described as an intensive investigation into her disappearance.
The victim, identified as 56-year-old Katty Oosterlinck, had reportedly lived on the island for years and was well known within the local expat community. Friends and family raised the alarm after they were unable to contact her for several days, sparking a desperate search across the island.
Body Found at Canary Islands Landfill
The investigation took a grim turn when police searching for the missing woman uncovered human remains at the Zurita waste processing facility in Puerto del Rosario on Friday.
Spanish authorities later confirmed the remains belonged to Oosterlinck. Reports from local media revealed the body had been dismembered before being dumped at the landfill.
The discovery shocked both locals and tourists on the island, which is usually known for its beaches, resorts, and expat lifestyle.
Son Arrested Over Alleged Murder
Hours after the remains were discovered, officers from Spain’s Guardia Civil arrested the victim’s son in Las Palmas following what reports described as a day-long operation.
Authorities have not publicly released his identity, but he is now considered the prime suspect in the case.
Investigators reportedly reconstructed the alleged movements leading up to the woman’s death and searched multiple locations linked to the investigation, including her home in Corralejo.
Police have not yet revealed how Oosterlinck died, and forensic specialists are expected to carry out a full autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Expat Community Left Shaken
The gruesome case has sent shockwaves through the Canary Islands’ large international community, particularly among Belgian residents living in Fuerteventura.
Friends described Oosterlinck as a familiar face in the town, with many locals closely following online appeals after she vanished earlier this month.
The case has also reignited concerns after another disturbing dismemberment murder shocked the Canary Islands in 2025, when the remains of a Colombian woman were found on a beach in Gran Canaria.
Spanish police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Oosterlinck’s death.
