The remains of an expatriate who was reported missing in Fuerteventura have been discovered dismembered at a waste processing facility on the Spanish island, leading to the arrest of her son on suspicion of her homicide.

Katty Oosterlinck, a 56-year-old Belgian expat, was reported missing by friends and family on May 4 after being out of contact for several days. Despite extensive search efforts by authorities and volunteers, her body was located four days later at the Zurita waste processing plant in Puerto del Rosario. The Spanish Civil Guard is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death and has apprehended her son in connection with the incident.

The 22-year-old suspect was taken into custody by the Spanish Guardia Civil’s Judicial Police in Las Palmas shortly after the discovery of his mother’s remains. Police have been reconstructing the events leading up to Katty’s tragic death.

Authorities have visited Katty’s residence in Corralejo and other potential locations linked to the case. Her body has been transferred to the Institute of Legal Medicine of Las Palmas for further examination to determine the cause of death.

Reports indicate that the Civil Guard has requested cooperation from the Fuerteventura Island Council to access the landfill site where they believe crucial evidence may be found. Katty was last seen in Corralejo, approximately 30 miles from the location where her body was recovered.

Details regarding the manner of her death and the specifics of the alleged crime have not been disclosed by the police, who have also withheld the son’s identity pending ongoing investigations.

The shocking incident has rattled the expatriate community in the region, where Katty, originally from Beveren, had established herself over the years.

A close friend of Katty shared with HLN News, a Belgian outlet: “She was a familiar face in Corralejo, where she had resided for a long time. Many people knew her well, as she was often seen around town. I last saw her on the beach on Sunday afternoon, and since then, there has been no communication, not even from her daughter.”

The son is considered the primary suspect in his mother’s death, with the outcome of the forensic examination on her remains expected to determine the nature of the charges, whether it be murder, manslaughter, or another offense. As per Canarian Weekly, he was in police custody and scheduled to appear before a judge on Saturday.