Missing Girls’ Bodies Found In Rapist’s Yard Two Other Girls Rescued Earlier From Hidden Cellar At House

Authorities discovered the remains of two missing girls Saturday in the yard of a suspect who had been convicted of child rape seven years ago.

The body of an adult, an apparent accomplice in the child kidnappings, was also found on the premises, authorities said. The search continued for more bodies.

Two abducted girls had been rescued from a secret cellar in the house of suspect Marc Dutroux on Thursday. Under interrogation, Dutroux admitted he had killed other abducted children, authorities said.

Officials said a total of four people have been arrested so far in connection with the abductions, thought to be linked to a child pornography ring.

A series of child kidnappings since the late 1980s gripped this nation of 10 million, as the list of victims believed part of the same case grew to a dozen.

The bodies of 8-year-olds Julie Lejeune and Melissa Russo, who disappeared just over a year ago, were found tied up and buried in the yard at the house, one of several properties owned by Dutroux.

“Up to this afternoon, we still had a sparkle of hope to find them alive,” said investigator Anne Thily.

The body of the man found Saturday has not been identified.

The girls rescued Thursday had been hidden in a concrete cage in a secret cellar near Charleroi, 35 miles south of Brussels.

The 12-year-old had been missing since May 28. The 14-year-old disappeared last week.

The older girl had been kidnapped upon her return from a swimming pool and was taken to the house where the younger one was held. She told her mother she was drugged for three days and raped repeatedly.

The 12-year-old had been in captivity in the 4-by-3 yard concrete cage for over two months when the other girl joined her.

Dutroux was sentenced in 1989 to 13 years in prison for raping several girls, but was released after three years for good behavior.