Ben Saunders missing: this is what we know about the winner of The Voice of Holland
A body has been found in the water near Arnhem and there are concerns that this could be the missing body of singer Ben Saunders. These were just too many frowning moments causing facts in one sentence. A body found in water is already bad, but then it could be Ben Saunders. Who is apparently missing. Just a recap. Because Ben Saunders, that was that guy with that audition that hit like a bomb on The Voice?
During a search operation in a recreation area south of Arnhem, a body was found on Tuesday afternoon. Friends Of the 43-year-old singer Ben Saunders, there are fears that it is him, reports the Telegraaf. This has now been officially confirmed. Saunders had been missing since Tuesday morning after he reportedly went swimming at the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen and did not come up.
Who is Ben Saunders?
Ben Saunders grew up in Hoorn as the son of English parents. He broke through nationally in 2011 with his participation in the very first edition of The Voice of Holland, which he also won. A notable detail from that time: a day after his victory, his brother Dean also won a talent show on Dutch television, namely the third season of Popstars.
Why was his audition on The Voice so legendary?
Anyone who follows The Voice of Holland a bit will remember the image. Saunders walked onto the stage and within a few seconds had all the coaches on their buttons. Especially the moment when Roel van Velzen enthusiastically hit his table while turning to Nick and Simon Keizer, as if he couldn't understand why they hadn't turned yet, is one of the most shared auditions in the Dutch history of the program. It's exactly that kind of genuine goosebumps moment that made the format so big.
Where else is Ben Saunders known from after The Voice?
After his victory, Saunders remained in the spotlight mainly due to his striking appearance, with a full beard and arms full of tattoos, a style that suited the rock sound with which he broke through at the time. Recently, he was also active as a tattoo artist. He recently moved from Hoorn to a trailer park in Arnhem, where he opened his own tattoo shop.
How has Ben Saunders fared since his Voice victory?
While the musical success faded over time, Saunders came into contact with the law multiple times. In 2015, he was convicted of assaulting a traffic controller in Hoorn and received 180 hours of community service, plus compensation. Shortly thereafter, he was convicted again for vandalism at a café in Landsmeer. Additionally, Saunders was a member of the banned motorcycle club Satudarah, which shifted his image from goosebumps singer to a very different story.
What is currently known about his disappearance?
On Tuesday, the police issued a Burgernet message with a description that matches Saunders: a 43-year-old man with a beard and various tattoos. The search operation involved dogs, divers, and a police helicopter. Around 1:20 PM, a body was found in the water at the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen. Friends and family of the singer gathered at the scene.
Image: RTL
