The family of Kimberly van Ardenne, the 23-year-old from Rotterdam who died in a UTV accident in Aruba in September, has filed a criminal complaint against her partner and a Dutch marine, alleging that video evidence used in the investigation was falsified. The allegation comes from the family and its lawyer; it has not been established by any court, and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) has previously said its investigation indicated that Van Ardenne herself was driving.
Van Ardenne died on September 13, 2026, when the UTV she was travelling in overturned for reasons that remain unknown at Grapefield, near San Nicolas. Her partner, named in the reports as Thomas K., and a Dutch marine, named as Mees W., were also in the vehicle and survived.
Family questions the video
Shortly after the accident, the two men stated that Van Ardenne had been driving. Her family says it doubted that account from the beginning, describing her as a very careful driver who did not even like driving. On October 9, the OM announced that, according to the results of the investigation available at that time — which included analysis of video recordings — Van Ardenne had been at the wheel, while noting that the investigation had not yet been finalised.
According to a report on a Dutch television programme, the family’s lawyer, Peter Schouten, has now filed a complaint against both men over suspected falsification of the video and its use as evidence. NoticiaCla reported that the complaint is based on Article 184, paragraphs 1 and 2, of Aruba’s Penal Code, which concerns the alleged fabrication and use of false evidence in judicial proceedings. The family is asking the authorities to investigate whether the recording may have been falsified or manipulated.
Lawyer seeks answers
Schouten expressed frustration at the lack of information about the investigation. “We are waiting for answers so that we can complete the picture of what happened. At the moment we cannot, and that is very painful,” the lawyer said, according to the programme’s account. He also raised concerns, based on information from a source he considers reliable, about possible irregularities relating to the UTV’s registration and the possibility that the vehicle was being rented out illegally.
The family has also questioned how long the investigation is taking, understanding that statements and investigation reports might only be shared around the turn of the year. The accident investigation was initially in the hands of the Aruba Police Force (KPA) and later passed to the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, because a Dutch serviceman is involved, under the direction of the Aruba OM.
For now, two positions stand opposite each other: the OM, which has said the available video evidence indicates Van Ardenne was driving, and the family, which disputes the recording and is demanding further investigation. Relatives described the period since September 13 as a completely dark time in which they cannot find peace until they have full clarity about the circumstances in which she lost her life.
Sources: 24ora | NoticiaCla (November 13, 2026)
