Overview
- Verkuijl spoke publicly for the first time after captaining Jong Ajax in a match, telling ESPN that he finds it very hard to continue living following the death of his girlfriend.
- His girlfriend, Elisa, was hit while jogging in Ede on 18 December 2025 and later died in hospital after being airlifted for treatment.
- Ajax marked her death four days later with a minute of silence and a jersey laid on the centre circle by Verkuijl, and the player returned to action in April 2026 after an extended absence.
- News outlets report that De Telegraaf said the driver initially fled the scene, but the recent coverage does not provide confirmed updates on any investigation or legal outcome.
- Verkuijl says training and matches give him a short-term way to clear his head and provide structure, and the club’s public gestures have been a visible part of his support network since the tragedy.