Appeal for witnesses
Opsporing Verzocht
Bureau Rijnmond
Team West
Death of Atilla at the Rijksstraatweg in Delfgauw
On the morning of Sunday, 8 December 2024, a seriously injured man was found in a burning, white Mercedes Citan delivery van at Rijksstraatweg in Delfgauw, the Netherlands. The victim, 45-year-old Atilla, died at the scene. The police believe a crime has been committed and are urgently looking for information. Did you see or hear anything? Were you in contact with Atilla or his alter ego Arya Stark? Or do you have any other information in relation to this case? Please contact the police. It is possible to share your information anonymously.
- Nationality: Turkish
- Age: 45
- Alter ego: Arya Stark
The victim: 45-year-old Atilla
Around 8 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, 8 December, a passerby reported that a vehicle was on fire on a car park at Rijksstraatweg in Delfgauw. In the burning vehicle, a white Mercedes Citan, a seriously injured man was found. Despite all efforts of the emergency services, the victim died at the scene.
The victim was found to be 45-year-old Atilla. Over two years ago, he left the life he had built in Turkey and moved to the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, he came to live in an asylum seekers centre in Groningen. He was rebuilding his life while waiting for a home of his own. He worked as a package delivery person, and for that reason drove the van he was found in on 8 December.
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The victim’s final days
The investigation has revealed that Atilla was in Assen around 10 p.m. on the night before the incident. Around 12:30 a.m. he made a purchase at KFC at Marconiplein in Rotterdam. Later, around 1 a.m., he filled up his van at pump 2 of Ruyven petrol station at Rijksstraatweg. He paid in the shop and then went to the car park.
Dating apps
The car park where the victim was found is at Rijksstraatweg in Delfgauw. The car park is situated right behind Ruyven petrol station along the A13 motorway running from Rotterdam to The Hague.
This car park is usually well-visited and is also a known gay cruising area. The victim was active on dating apps, such as Grindr, Badoo, Hornet and Bullchat, where he was known under the nickname Arya Stark (@aryastark(k)).
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All information is welcome
Do you have an answer to any of the questions below? Or did you know Atilla or his alter ego Arya? Did you chat with Atilla or Arya or meet with him? Or do you have any information about what may have happened? The police would like to hear from you.
Any information in relation to this case may help us find out more about Atilla’s death, even if you are not sure if it is relevant.
- Do you have any information about Atilla’s life?
- Do you know anything about the period before Atilla’s death?
- Were you in contact with Atilla or Arya Stark? If so, when and what about?
- Do you think you may have seen Atilla? If so, when, where and with whom?
- Do you know who Atilla was in contact with and whom he may have had trouble with?
- Do you believe you know what happened?
- Did you see anything unusual on or around the car park before, during or after the incident? For example, because you filled up your car at the neighbouring petrol station, visited the nearby casino, or bought food at any of the nearby restaurants?
- Did you see Atilla between 1 a.m., (the time he filled up his van) and 8 a.m. (the time the incident was reported)?
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Contact us
Do you have any information for the investigation team that you did not share before? Please contact the police using the options below. In addition to the toll-free tip-off line at 0800-6070 and the tip-off form on this page, there are the following special options to share your information.
Pink in Blue
We understand that it may be difficult for you to share your story with the police. For this reason, you can speak confidentially and without judgment with Pink in Blue, the police network of the LGBTIQ+ community. You can reach Pink in Blue as follows:
- Tel.: 088-1691234
- Email: rozeinblauw@politie.nl
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Sharing information anonymously
Do you want to remain anonymous? Please contact M.. M. is an independent organisation that is not part of the police. Employees at M. do not record any personal information and do not forward anything that may be used to identify you. This means your name will not be included in any case files. Any information shared with M. is only provided to the police if your anonymity can be ensured.
If you contact M., please ensure you share all information you have. If answering the above questions, please be as detailed as possible. As M. is fully anonymous, we will not be able to contact you to ask for additional information or further clarification.
Sharing information confidentially with the National Intelligence Team
Finally, you may contact the National Intelligence Team (TNI). As one of the few departments within the police, the National Intelligence Team is allowed to shield its sources. Your personal data will not be shared with others in the police organisation or otherwise. You can reach TNI as follows:
- Tel.: 088-6617734