Tributes pour in for murdered crime journalist Peter R de Vries

The death of crime journalist Peter R. de Vries has dominated the press in the Netherlands after he was reported shut on the street of Amsterdam and for 10 days he battled for his life. Candle vigils and prayers were offered for him but on 15th July 2021, he gave up the ghost and the outpouring of grief enveloped the whole country from politicians, journalists and general public. Major Dutch newspapers like the Telegraaf, AD and Volkskrant featured his pictures and editorials on his life and work. The Telegraaf, where De Vries began his career as a Journalist in 1978, devoted its first four pages to giving friends and colleagues space to share their stories on him. ‘His reserved appearance, the piercing look and the nasal voice; they were a turn-off to some. But the people who knew him better knew that those wrinkles next to his eyes indicated humor and other emotions,’ the paper’s court reporter Saskia Belleman said.

‘Relatives of the victims of crime which De Vries took on, were crazy about him. If Peter got involved in your case, you knew that they would not be forgotten.’ De Vries was perhaps best known for his work on cold cases ensuring that several high profile murders were finally resolved years after the fact. But he also fought for refugee rights and was a staunch critic of racism and far right politics. Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that De Vries was ‘always in search of the truth and justice.’ And that, Rutte said, ‘makes it all the more dramatic that such a great injustice has been done to him.’ talk shows were also devoted to De Vries, who was a frequent guest on many. In total, 4.7 million people watched one of more programmes, according to official figures. Tributes, an online condolence book has also been opened and signed by thousands of well-wishers. ‘Justice that is what you stood for. You were a hero,’ wrote Ibrahim Yaman. ‘Beaten in the battle against injustice. Your life was taken from you in such a cowardly way. You will never be forgotten,’ wrote Sandra de Bruijn. The 64-year-old’s family said they were ‘immeasurably proud, but also inconsolable’ as they confirmed his death in a statement last month. De Vries was shot in the head from close range on

In the Lange Leidesdwarstraat in Amsterdam, where De Vries was shot after appearing on a television programme, dozens of people have come to pay tribute and lay flowers. Television July 6, just after leaving a television studio at around 7.30pm. Two men have been arrested for the murder and have been remanded in custody.