Remembering Ingrid Visser: Ten Years After The Murder Of A Top Volleyball Star

Visser herself had difficulty getting pregnant because of treatment with growth inhibitors that she received at a young age. After she stopped playing volleyball in 2011, she wanted to try to fulfill her childhood wish together with Severein. After IVF treatment at a clinic in Murcia, Spain, a test showed she was pregnant.

On May 14, 2013, they had an appointment at a fertility clinic for an ultrasound. But the couple never got there. A search ensued and their bodies were found on May 27.

“It was late at night. Mom and Dad called us downstairs, me and my two younger brothers. We were put on the couch and my parents started crying. They didn’t beat around the bush: they were murdered. then told what was in the autopsy report.”

It contained gruesome details. “I just had a telephone. In bed I started looking for more information via search engines, something my parents had advised me against, because there were many untruths. For example, they were not tortured, a story that circulated in the Spanish media.”

At the farewell ceremony for Visser and Severein in Almere, the then 11-year-old from Apeldoorn and teammates led the way. “There were two large candles made with an I and an L. I brought them up with girls from my team. I remember that the flame of Lodewijk’s candle remained calm, just like his character. And that Ingrid’s candle, which was very energetic, was constantly flaring.”

Zijl continued with volleyball, started training at Papendal and has played in the premier league for Draisma Dynamo since last season.

“In the beginning I found it difficult to enter the hall, because it was her sport. But somehow it is also nice to continue doing what she was so good at. It never gets used to, but I try to pass on her volleyball lessons. give, although I am not as talented as them.”

What did Visser think she was so good at? Ingrid did the full package: good at attacking, blocking and the tactical game. She is mainly seen as a murdered person, but she belonged to the absolute volleyball top. Today’s generation can learn a lot from her game. There is a video – Visser and the art of blocking – in which she explains how to block. We watched it often at Papendal, and I still watch it.”

Zijl is now 21 and, like Visser, is considering playing for a Spanish club in a few years. “I’ve always kept that off, but now I’ve processed things and I’m stronger in my shoes. I just wouldn’t want to come out for Murcia, because she was killed there, but I can get closer to the people in Spain who are well have been for Ingrid.”