Sad certainty in France: almost nine months after a two-year-old child disappeared without a trace, researchers have found the child’s bones. According to the gendarmerie, someone discovered the bones during a walk near the mountain village of Le Vernet. According to the Aix-en-Provence public prosecutor’s office, researchers’ genetic analysis showed on Sunday that the bones were those of Émile, who had been missing since early July.
According to media reports, the child’s skull was found. Special forces from the gendarmerie were out on Sunday to further search the area around the location.
Grandparents lost sight of Émile
Émile’s disappearance caused great horror in France. Even months later, there is great media interest in the case. The two-and-a-half-year-old boy was on holiday with his grandparents in Le Vernet, southern France, when they lost sight of him around the evening of July 8. A number of other family members were also staying with the grandparents at the time. Two witnesses said they saw the toddler running down the street.
In the days and weeks after the boy’s disappearance, the police repeatedly searched the area with a large number of people. Body-sniffing dogs also combed the area. The investigators searched apartments in the small village with only 125 inhabitants.
The remote location was only cordoned off on Thursday to recreate the day of the disappearance on site. The investigators are investigating kidnapping and deprivation of liberty, but have not ruled out an accident.
Bones found incomplete
According to the newspaper “Le Parisien”, the bones that have now been found are incomplete. Accordingly, the boy’s skull was discovered. The broadcaster BFMTV also reported this. The child’s cause of death is still unclear, the broadcaster wrote, citing investigators. “The next 48 hours will be crucial,” the medium quoted the source as saying.
According to ‘Parisien’, it is also unclear whether the bones were found in an area where dogs had already searched or not. It is also possible that the bones arrived on site later, for example due to heavy rainfall.
“Relieved but sad”
The mayor of the town of Le Vernet, François Balique, told broadcaster BFMTV about the bone discovery: “I am relieved, but very sad because I had hoped he would be found alive.” Nothing was said in town about the discovery. The day before.
According to the two media, Émile’s family was informed about the bone discovery in the morning. The parents’ lawyer did not want to comment when asked by “Parisien”.
In the fall, on the occasion of the boy’s birthday, Émile’s mother sent a voice message to anyone who knew anything about her child’s disappearance. “For mercy’s sake, tell us where Émile is!” she said. “Give him back to us!”
Source: Krone
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