Body of Armed Belgian Fugitive Soldier Found, Suicide Suspected

Jurgen Conings in a file photo. Belgian Federal Police via AP

BRUSSELS—Belgian police found the body on Sunday of a fugitive soldier who went missing a month ago with a stash of weapons after threatening a virologist and his family, the Belgian federal prosecutors’ office said.

“The cause of death is probably, according to initial findings, attributable to suicide by firearm, but this cause will have to be established during a future forensic examination,” the office said in a statement.

Police had launched a massive manhunt for Jurgen Conings, 46, after he left his home near the Dutch border on May 17 with weapons including anti-tank rockets. Conings had threatened virologist Marc Van Ranst for supporting COVID-19 vaccines. Van Ranst and his family were subsequently moved to safety.

Belgian army members carry their bags at National Park Hoge Kempen while scouring to capture Belgian Jurgen Conings, a soldier who disappeared after threatening a virologist supportive COVID-19 vaccines and coronavirus restrictions, in Maasmechelen, Belgium, on May 21, 2021. Yves Herman/Reuters

The body of Conings was found in the woods in Dilserbos, in eastern Belgium, by the mayor of another town who noticed the smell during a bicycle ride and alerted the police.

Belgian authorities said Conings was on a list of potential terrorists compiled by OCAM, an organization responsible for assessing the threat of terrorism in Belgium.

Belgian army ambulance and soldiers arrive at National Park Hoge Kempen while scouring to capture Belgian Jurgen Conings, a soldier who disappeared after threatening a virologist supportive of COVID-19 vaccines and coronavirus restrictions, in Maasmechelen, Belgium, on May 21, 2021. Yves Herman/Reuters