Esteban M. (42), an Aruban man, is accused of murdering his partner, Bianca Winkeleer (23), in a horrifying case that has shocked the Netherlands. Despite denying responsibility, the Rotterdam Public Prosecutor’s Office has presented both tactical and technical evidence suggesting that Esteban brutally ended Bianca’s life in July.
The crime took place in the home they shared on P.K. Drosaartstraat in Vlaardingen, near Rotterdam. According to authorities, Esteban not only subjected Bianca to severe abuse, including breaking multiple bones, but also inflicted several stab wounds, one of which punctured her lung.
The case took a more disturbing turn when it was revealed that Esteban kept Bianca’s body in the house for up to five days. During this time, friends visited him, unaware that Bianca’s body was seated on a chair and covered with a blanket.
Panicked, Esteban allegedly tried to shift blame by coercing a Somali acquaintance, identified as W., to take responsibility for the crime. He even brought W. to the police to make a false confession. However, after several days of interrogation, authorities confirmed W. had no involvement and released him. Esteban remained in custody.
Forensic investigators found a gruesome scene in the house. Bloodstains were scattered throughout, furniture was damaged, and Bianca’s body bore evidence of prolonged abuse. Her injuries included 20 broken ribs, a collapsed lung, fractures in her arms and legs, and internal bleeding. Some injuries were fresh, while others were older, indicating a history of violence.
Authorities believe Bianca was killed on July 7th, even though Esteban claimed he found her dead on July 10 after returning from a coffee shop in Rotterdam. He admitted to being in shock and scared. “I was afraid they would blame me for her death,” he said during the trial. Instead of alerting the authorities, he allegedly erased traces of her involvement on adult websites, claiming he wanted to “protect her memory.”
Witnesses painted a picture of Esteban as a violent and manipulative individual. Nineteen people testified to his abusive behavior, with neighbors recounting frequent arguments followed by Bianca’s absence for days. Some of Esteban’s former partners also shared accounts of being mistreated by him.
In his defense, Esteban claimed Bianca was unfaithful and suggested she was involved in adult websites. He also stated that Bianca struggled with a cocaine addiction, though these allegations could not be substantiated.
Born in Aruba, Esteban reportedly displayed behavioral issues from a young age. In the Netherlands, he had several run-ins with the law starting at age 14. A psychiatric evaluation concluded that he poses a danger to society and is likely to reoffend.
The Rotterdam Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested an eight-year prison sentence for Esteban, followed by mandatory psychiatric treatment. They argue that his violent history and the severity of the crime warrant this sentence.
The court is expected to deliver its verdict in two weeks.
