Gravedigger suspected of stealing gold from Hague graves

A 60-year-old gravedigger at The Hague’s General Cemetery has been arrested on suspicion of stealing jewellery and gold dental fillings from graves and selling them to a gold dealer.

The man, who worked at the cemetery on Kerkhoflaan, is suspected of taking the valuables during working hours, the public prosecution department (OM) said. He is also being investigated for money laundering.

The OM was alerted by a tip-off and arrested the man on May 26. Its investigation covers the period from January 2023 until his arrest.

It is not yet known which graves were targeted or how many, and no relatives have been informed while the inquiry continues, the OM said.

The Hague council said it was “horrified” by the case and would launch its own investigation once the criminal inquiry was complete. The suspect is due to be released shortly, with the OM saying there was no need to keep him in custody. The police investigation is ongoing.

Dutch cemeteries have figured in other recent cases: in December, Dordrecht council admitted opening coffins without consent to monitor decomposition.