Between January 1996 and July 1997, garbage bags were found on the side of the road or on canal embankments not far from the Belgian city of Mons. These plastic bags contained the body parts of a total of five women who had been brutally murdered, which is why the perpetrator was nicknamed “The Butcher of Mons” in the media. The whole of Belgium was shocked by the gruesome discovery. The investigation was in full swing. Over 1,700 leads were followed, but there was no trace of the perpetrator. Ten years passed before the FBI arrested 67-year-old Smail Tulja in February 2007 on the basis of new evidence in the suburb of Maslin in Montenegro, Tulja’s home country. This inconspicuous, always helpful 1.60-meter-tall man, who was an avid hobby gardener, as his neighbors described him, is said to have murdered his wife, American Mary Beal, in New York in 1990. Her murder followed the same pattern as the five murders in Belgium and two murders in Albania. The bodies were all decapitated, then precisely dismembered, with the body parts placed in garbage bags and distributed throughout the city. At the time of the series of murders in Belgium, Smail Tulja, whose real name was Smajo Džurlić, was living there under a false name with his third wife, who had fled with him from the US after the murder of Mary Beal, before he returned to his native Montenegro. When he left, the series of murders ended abruptly. DNA evidence proved that the 67-year-old had murdered his wife. Smail Tulja had been working as a taxi driver in New York at the time. Mary Beal disappeared on September 15, 1990. Her body was found three weeks later in two garbage bags in New York City. As Montenegro did not extradite him as one of its own citizens, a trial was held via video link in February 2009, in which Smail Tulja was sentenced to 12 years in prison for the murder of Mary Beal. He died in prison in February 2012, and it could not be conclusively determined whether he was responsible for the other murders in Belgium and Albania.
By Isabella Mueller
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!