A boy of 16 held under suspicion of murdering a 14-year-old girl, Savannah, is to remain in custody for another three months, a court ruled on Friday.

The boy from Den Bosch, who has not been named, appeared in front of the court in Utrecht for the first time in a private hearing.

His parents, and the parents and relatives of Savannah, were also present.

He is now suspected of murder, reports the NOS broadcaster, as prosecutors strengthened the charge a week ago after analysing his internet activity.

The girl’s body was found in a ditch on an industrial site in Bunschoten, near Amersfoort, on June 4th this year. The suspect was later discovered to have her bank card, identity card and bicycle keys.

Two days before Savannah’s body was discovered, another 14-year-old Dutch girl, Romy, was found dead in a nearby nature reserve in Achterveld. A boy of 14 is being held in connection with her murder.