Investigation Launched After Discovery of Elderly Woman's Body
An 81-year-old woman was found dead in a bag in a forest near Blois, Loir-et-Cher, prompting a homicide investigation by local authorities. The public prosecutor, Charlotte Beluet, announced the discovery on Saturday morning, following a report of the woman's disappearance by her son-in-law earlier in the week. He expressed concern after not hearing from her for several days.
At the victim's residence, investigators uncovered traces of blood, some of which appeared to have been cleaned up. This led them to uncover a history of disputes between the victim and her neighbor, a man born in 1989, related to ongoing issues with water leaks. The circumstances surrounding her death have raised significant concerns among local officials.
Details of the Discovery and Initial Findings
On Friday, walkers in the area reported a heavy bag on the edge of a wooded path. Upon investigation, authorities found the body of the elderly woman inside the bag, which was described as being
completely folded up
with
a smashed face
indicating that she had suffered a
very violent blow with a fairly massive object
according to prosecutor Beluet. Additionally, there were significant wounds on her neck that appeared to have been inflicted with a knife.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday to determine whether the injuries were inflicted before or after her death. The prosecutor emphasized the need for clarity in the investigation, given the violent nature of the crime.
Neighbor in Custody
The neighbor, who has been taken into custody, claims he discovered the victim dead at her home and attempted to clean the scene before transporting her body in a suitcase to the woods, a distance of approximately 3 kilometers. He denies any involvement in her death, and it was noted that he has no prior criminal record. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities treating the case as a potential voluntary homicide based on the evidence gathered thus far.
