Belgian Daycare Attack Suspect Linked to 2nd Killing

Police in Belgium have linked Kim De Gelder, the man charged with killing two children and a woman at a daycare last week, with an earlier murder, Reuters reports. DNA evidence suggests that De Gelder stabbed an elderly woman to death in a nearby town a week before he turned his knife on children and staff at the crèche. He is apparently beginning to cooperate with investigators.

Evidence has also emerged that De Gelder’s killing spree was planned to coincide with the anniversary of Heath Ledger’s death, Fox News reports. He wore makeup similar to the actor’s Joker character from The Dark Knight, and the January 23 attack fell a day after the anniversary of Ledger’s death in 2008. When apprehended, De Gelder said, “I have a question,” similar to a line in the movie. Acquaintances said De Gelder was a “film freak” and a “movie addict.” (More Belgium stories.)