Suspect in Stefan Posschier murder has not yet been interviewed by gardaí

The chief suspect in the murder of Stefan Nivelles Posschier, whose body was found by gardaí on land near his home at Rattin, near Milltownpass on October 25, has not yet been interviewed by gardaí.

It is understood the man, who is in his 20s, appeared in court and was remanded in custody in connection to unrelated charges.

Gardaí are not looking for anyone else in connection with the Belgian native's death.

Meanwhile, “kind”, “openhearted” and “warm” are just some of the attributes local people used to describe the late Stefan Posschier.

The 65-year-old, who went by the stage name Stefan de Guylian, was a psychic and spiritual healer and was well known around Mullingar through that work.

Kind, openhearted and warm

“He had a gift. He read the tarot and was known as a psychic healer, but he was a shaman who had an ongoing and strong connection with the Native Americans in the US,” says Joanne Daly of Angel Art Curios and Spiritual Supplies on Austin Friars Street, where Stefan had been due to give readings at an event on Sunday.

“His mother had the gift, that’s where he got it from, his sister is also a psychic I believe,” said Joanne. “I was only speaking to him last week, we had a really good chat here in the shop, and we were making plans for him to come in regularly to do healings and readings.

“It’s so tragic, I’m really still in shock about it,” she said, adding that she first got to know Mr Posschier when she worked at one of her first jobs as an 18-year-old in Apache Pizza.

“He was one of the characters of the town, everybody knew him and he’s helped so many people over the years in this town. Everyone you speak to has got a reading from him.

“He was kind, openhearted and warm. He always took people who were struggling under his wing, and he really helped me at that time. We always kept in touch over the years but during Covid you lose touch with people, we had only reconnected in the last while, since I opened the shop really.”

Joanne set up an altar of remembrance in the room Mr Posschier was due to read in on the night of her opening party, for people to pay their respects.

When the Westmeath Examiner reported the incident last week after Mr Posschier had been named, scores of people paid tribute to the popular Belgium native on Facebook.

“Rest in eternal peace Stefan. A lovely man, always great for the chats. Sincere condolences to all his family and friends,” one poster said.

“RIP Stefan, a lovely man, had a reading with him after my mam died, he was gifted,” another posted.

“So sad to hear this terrible news. An absolute gentleman,” one person said.

“RIP, got a reading off Stefan before, very gifted reader. What a sad ending,” a person posted.

“Rest In Peace Stefan, you were so much fun and so loved,” one woman posted.

Grim discovery

Shortly after 6pm on Tuesday October 25, gardaí were alerted to the discovery of a body of a male at a house in Rattin. The man, later identified as Stefan Nivelles Posschier, was violently assaulted and died as a result of his injuries.

A post-mortem examination was conducted on Wednesday October 26 by State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan at Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore. The results were not released for operational reasons.

An incident room was established at Mullingar Garda Station and the investigation is being carried out under the direction of a senior investigating officer. A family liaison officer continues to keep the family informed of the investigation.

Investigating gardaí would like to speak to any person that met or saw Stefan or interacted with him on social media in the days prior to the discovery of his body on Tuesday.

Investigating gardaí can be contacted at the incident room in Mullingar Garda Station on 044 9384000, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or through any Garda Station.