This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
On October 15, 2019, Dutch police stumbled upon a shocking discovery in the village of Ruinerwold, Drenthe province. A family of seven, consisting of a father and six adult children, had been living in secret in the basement of a remote farmhouse for nine years.
The family's isolation was only revealed when one of the sons, believed to be around 25 years old, walked into a nearby pub in a disheveled state. The man, who had not been outside for nine years, drank five beers and then asked for help, stating he had not been outside for nine years.
Police were alerted, and upon investigation, they discovered a hidden staircase behind a cupboard leading to a cellar where the family was hiding. The father, believed to be in his 50s, and five others, believed to be his children, were found living in the basement.
Local mayor Roger de Groot described the family's living conditions as 'isolated.' The family had been living on the homestead for nine years, and several of the children had not been officially registered. The family was taken to a nearby holiday park while the investigation continued.
Police are investigating 'all scenarios,' and many questions remain unanswered. The family's living conditions and the reasons behind their isolation are still unknown.
