Son Faces Trial for Killing Stepmother in Family Feud

Wealth, Jealousy, and a Fatal Shooting

A Belgian man is set to appear before a court for the murder of his stepmother in a case that reveals family disputes and immense wealth. The accused, Nicolas Ullens, is the son of a baron, and stands accused of fatally shooting his stepmother, Baroness Myriam Ullens, in 2023.

The violent event took place on March 29, 2023, as Nicolas Ullens fired six bullets at his stepmother while she was in a car with his father, Baron Guy Ullens. The younger Ullens then fled the scene but later surrendered to the authorities. Baroness Myriam Ullens was a well-known businesswoman.

“According to Nicolas Ullens’ lawyers, money was not the motive. It would be about ‘deeper and more complex human feelings’”

— Nicolas Ullens’ Lawyer

The Financial Dispute

The murder is believed to have stemmed from a “conflict of a financial nature.” Reports indicate that Nicolas Ullens felt disadvantaged regarding his father’s assets. The family wealth was estimated at around 2 billion euros, and the victim’s children from a previous relationship may have been favored.

Before his death in 2025, Baron Guy Ullens expressed his difficulty understanding why his son committed this act. He did not believe his wife was the selfish person his children described. In Belgium, approximately 30% of family businesses fail due to internal conflicts, often involving inheritance issues (Business Belgium, 2024).

Legal Proceedings and the Future

After the incident, Nicolas Ullens was initially arrested, but he was later placed under electronic supervision. The investigating judge finished their work in August 2024, and the case was sent to the public prosecutor. Nicolas Ullens was allowed to attend his father’s funeral while under supervision.

The trial will occur before the Nivelles Hof van Assisen, with a start date tentatively set for early 2026, subject to the availability of staff and court renovations.