In March 2016, Leopold Hecht, a 20-year-old law student, refused to be dropped off at Saint-Louis University by his mother after two bombs had exploded at Zaventem airport. His father Bernard Hecht testified before the court responsible for judging the attacks that Leopold refused to give in to fear, stating that the terrorists would have won. Leopold continued with his routine and was in the metro at the time of the Maelbeek explosion, causing him serious injuries. Leopold’s family tried to contact him after the attacks but with no success. Later on, Leopold’s brother Adrien located him at Erasmus Hospital via social media. Leopold was in a critical condition with toxic fumes in his lungs, and the doctors informed his family that he would not survive the night. Bernard Hecht explained that organ donation was important to keep humanity and defeated the terrorists. Leopold was remembered as an introverted person with a good sense of humor who loved to travel. Although some victims chose to hate or forgive the perpetrators, Bernard Hecht chose the path of reconciliation and offered to support the defendants if they choose the same. The pain of losing Leopold is still strong for the family, according to Bernard Hecht.
On March 22, 2016, 20-year-old law student Léopold Hecht refused to be dropped off by his mother at Saint-Louis University after she learned that two bombs had exploded at Zaventem airport. “Leopold refused, saying that they (the terrorists) would have won if we gave in to fear,” his father Bernard Hecht said on Monday before the Assize Court responsible for judging the attacks. The young man did not change his habits and found himself in the metro at the time of the explosion in Maelbeek. Seriously injured, he died in hospital a few hours later.
In the minutes and hours following the attacks, Leopold’s family tries time and time again to contact him, without success. At the end of the afternoon, she still had no news and the student had not yet returned home.
Leopold’s brother, Adrien, was schooled in England at the time. Via social networks, he learns that someone matching his description could be at Erasmus Hospital. The latter ends up contacting the parents of the victim, asking them to come on site. They are taken there to their son’s bedside, to intensive care. The young man is unconscious, a sheet covering his whole body, except his head, which is largely bandaged. He was seriously injured in the explosion and inhaled toxic fumes. His vital prognosis is engaged. Very quickly, the doctors inform the family that Léopold will not spend the night.
“We took turns at his bedside, we were able to talk to him. We are convinced that he received our words”, said his father, now 57 years old. Adrien was unable to return from England and spoke with his brother by telephone.
“Some time after midnight we were told it was over. We then responded positively and without hesitation to organ donation”, continued Bernard Hecht. In his eyes, it was important to “keep a little humanity in the darkness that surrounds us. They (the terrorists, Editor’s note) could not win because the others could continue to live“Seven years have passed since the departure of Leopold and the pain is still as strong for his family, which is only beginning to tame him, confided his father, then painting the portrait of his son.
upsetting words
The victim was a person open to the world, who loved to travel, introverted and endowed with a lot of humor. At the end of the testimony, the 50-year-old finally addressed the defendants. Some victims told them of their hatred and their inability to forgive, others made the opposite choice, he noted. Bernard Hecht is also part of a process of forgiveness.
“You are at a crossroads, where you have to make a choice. You can choose to continue on the path of hatred or seek the humanity within you. If you are brave and make the choice to embark on the path of reconciliation, you will find me on your way”he launched to the defendants.
The Hecht family’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the toll that terrorism takes on innocent lives. Leopold’s bravery and refusal to give in to fear serves as an inspiration to us all, while his family’s forgiveness and message of reconciliation is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit. As we look back on this tragic event, let us honor Leopold’s memory by continuing to fight against terrorism and promoting love and understanding in our communities.