Missing French toddler: Results of neighbours' house search revealed by police

The investigation into the disappearance of little Emile has been at a standstill for over two months. Missing since July 8, the child was staying with his grandparents when he apparently escaped their surveillance. Since then, a number of theories have been put forward, including that of the farmers or the famous bird trail.

To unravel the mystery, a number of resources were deployed: a dog squad, drones, telephone tapping and interviews with the 130 residents of Haut-Vernet. On Monday morning, 11 July 2023, the investigation took a new turn: a slab was destroyed, located a few hundred meters from the home of the child's family.

A slab at the heart of suspicion

This slab is located in the 'Phénix' house of a couple from Marignane, who were regular visitors to the hamlet. Built in a meadow near a sheepfold, it is hidden behind two large trees in Le Vernet. Investigators searched the house all day on Monday, before checking the slab.

This is not the first time that investigators have been interested in this famous slab. Just after the disappearance, a police sonar had already detected an anomaly. In mid-August, part of the slab was demolished to check that the 2-year-old child was not still there. When in doubt, the authorities decided to break up the entire slab with a jackhammer.

Read more:Missing French toddler: Witness reveals he saw Émile's grandfather when the boy disappeared

Inconclusive research

Finally, the public prosecutor in Aix-en-Provence told BFMTV that the search for the slab had turned up nothing.

Despite this, François Balique, the mayor of Le Vernet, has no regrets about the time he spent on the slab. A 'simple check' that allowed the investigators to concentrate on other leads.

I prefer to concentrate on doors that open rather than those that close.

Read more:Missing French toddler: Mysterious call for help was heard two months before Emile disappeared

This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag FR.

Sources used:

BFMTV