Marlon B., 45, admitted during his appeal in Den Bosch that he killed his former partner Silvana Heber in Hoogeloon in November 2022 and buried her near Vessem in a grave he had dug beforehand. He said he had dug the grave three days earlier after an argument, but denied having a concrete plan to kill her. He said he smothered her with a pillow during a later argument and acknowledged having also grabbed her by the throat. He was sentenced to 24 years in prison in February 2024 and appealed because he considers that sentence too high.

The Advocate General sought a 26-year prison sentence, arguing that the killing was premeditated. The prosecution cited car-navigation data said to show that he had repeatedly visited the burial site before the killing, and alleged that he strangled and smothered Heber while four children were at home. The prosecution also said he concealed evidence and left the children uncertain about their mother's fate. His lawyer disputed that digging the grave established an intention to kill. The appeal remains pending.