2-year-old killed in France The mysterious death of little Emile - an entire village must now undergo mass DNA testing
The death of two-year-old Emile is one of the most mysterious deaths in France. French investigators are now targeting almost the entire population of a small village.
28.02.2026, 13:17
28.02.2026, 13:18
dpa
Le Vernet has just over 100 inhabitants - and almost all of them are expected to provide saliva samples. Following the death of two-year-old Émile in the summer of 2023, a mass DNA test has now been launched in the Alpine village in the south of France. The campaign is to take place over the next few weeks, according to media reports citing investigative circles.
Around 100 people are to take part in the test. Residents of the Alpine hamlet as well as vacationers and walkers who were there on the day of the child's disappearance are affected, the radio station "France Info" reported.
Skull discovered one year after disappearance
Émile disappeared on July 8, 2023. Around nine months later, a walker found the child's skull in a forest around two kilometers from the village. Investigations revealed that the child had suffered severe facial trauma.
Investigators also discovered items of the child's clothing in the area. The saliva samples now collected are to be compared with genetic traces found on one of the missing boy's shoes. Émile's family is excluded from the test campaign as their DNA was already collected at the beginning of the investigation.
Investigation into intentional homicide
The authorities assume that the place of discovery is not the scene of the crime and that the remains were transported away from there. Since then, an investigation has been underway into intentional homicide and unauthorized removal of the body. In the weeks following the disappearance, the police searched the area extensively, including with cadaver sniffer dogs.
