Grandparents of the missing Émile in France again in the focus of investigators!

Grandparents of the missing Émile in France again in the focus of investigators!

The dramatic events surrounding the death of two-year-old Émile from the mountain village of Le Vernet in southern France continue to cause a stir. Police have taken the child's grandparents and two of their children into police custody to verify the grandfather's timing details. This measure had been planned for a long time. A car and a horse-drawn wagon belonging to the grandparents were also seized. The public prosecutor's office will hold a press conference on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. to provide an update on the status of the investigation.

Émile disappeared in July 2023 while vacationing with his grandparents in their holiday home. He was reported missing on the evening of July 8th after his grandparents said they had briefly lost sight of the boy. Two witnesses reported seeing Émile running down a street. Despite extensive searches by the police, who also used cadaver dogs, the efforts remained unsuccessful for weeks. However, in March 2024, a walker found the child's skull in a wooded area.

Unclear circumstances and ongoing investigations

The autopsy confirmed the discovery of the skull, but the cause of death initially remained unclear. Prosecutor Jean-Luc Blachon said no theory, be it a fall, manslaughter or murder, could be considered more likely. Investigators also found Émile's T-shirt, shoes and underpants near a stream. It remains unclear how long the items of clothing and the skull were at the site.

In recent weeks the investigation has become more intense. About two weeks ago, police officers were seen in the village to inspect the church as blood was found on a flower pot at the rectory, based on an anonymous tip-off. The focus of the investigation remains on Émile's grandparents, who were arrested on suspicion of intentional homicide and unauthorized removal of the body. The child's aunt and uncle are also said to be involved in the investigation. Émile's parents officially play no role in the case.

Little Émile's funeral took place on February 8, 2025 in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, and a year after his skull was found, the cause of death remains unclear. The prosecution's next steps could provide crucial clues to the circumstances of his disappearance and death.

For further information on the legal framework and the processes in such cases, the activity report of the Federal Office of Justice can be viewed, which is available on the official website at bundesjustizamt.de is available.