ROTTERDAM - The Rotterdam police arrested a 26-year-old woman on Tuesday in connection with the mysterious death of Mike Venema. His body was found on July 5, 2019, in a pickup truck at the bottom of the Caribbean Sea near Curaçao.
Mike Venema, a 53-year-old plumber and DJ technician, disappeared on September 12, 2018. Before his disappearance, he lived in an apartment on Anasaweg but also spent some time at the Jan Sofat resort. His body was eventually discovered by a diver at Shut, a remote location on the north coast of Curaçao. Police suspect Venema was the victim of a crime.
Shut, the crime scene, is known as an isolated area owned by the airport and had been closed off for some time. "It is a place where people can conduct matters unseen," said a police spokesperson. Venema's pickup truck, a Ford Raptor, was found there with his remains inside.
After extensive investigation in collaboration with the Curaçao authorities, the police arrested a 26-year-old woman in Rotterdam. She is suspected of involvement in Venema's death. The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests have not been ruled out.
The police have repeatedly sought public attention for this case through programs like Team West and Opsporing Verzocht, as well as via social media. The Peter R. de Vries Foundation also contributed to the publicity and offered a reward of 100,000 euros. These efforts led to several tips that advanced the investigation.
Mike Venema's parents lived in uncertainty for years about their son's fate. Sadly, his parents passed away last year without getting the answers they desperately sought. Venema, born and raised in Heemskerk, moved to Curaçao in 2009. He worked there as a plumber and supported DJs at events. He also managed apartments, taking care of their maintenance.
Mike Venema