BOXTEL - The 27-year-old man from Esch detained for involvement in the gruesome death of a Syrian found burning in a forest in Boxtel in November has made a confession. The suspect confessed to killing the 46-year-old man and setting him on fire in the woods. The suspected victim's wife had nothing to do with the murder, both said.

Lawyers for the husband and wife said so Thursday.

The victim was murdered in his own home in Esch on Nov. 17. His 35-year-old wife says she did not notice. She was sleeping with the children, lawyer Birgit Brevé told reporters Thursday.

However, the woman has appearances against her because she was going through a divorce, had a secret relationship with her co-defendant and because she did not report her husband missing after his disappearance. "She had her reasons for that. She has said from the beginning that she is innocent. Only a motive is insufficient evidence," her lawyer said.

A hiker found the burning body of the Syrian in November in the Sparrenrijk in Boxtel. The police only found out the man's identity after a week following tips. These came in when photos of the victim's face were shown on the Internet and television.

The suspects have been detained for nearly two months. The man is charged with murder; the woman is suspected of aiding and abetting.

A reconstruction will be held April 17 at the Esch home to verify the suspects' statements. They will both be there.

All involved are from Syria and lived in Esch. They have known each other since before they came to the Netherlands. The married woman's secret relationship is extra sensitive because of her origin. There are fears of honor killings. Brevé: "There are indications that she is in danger."

The prosecution is not commenting on the case.