With waning media interest and diabetes undermining his condition, he committed suicide at the age of 48 officially on the 12th of July 1988. To make a statement he actually committed suicide on 11 July  which is the day of the Flemish Community.
Due to decreasing media interest and diabetes affecting his health, he took his own life at age 48 officially on July 12, 1988. To make a point, however, he committed suicide on July 11, which is the day of the Flemish Community.