Murder of Grégory Villemin
| Grégory Villemin | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Grégory Villemin 24 August 1980 France |
| Died | 16 October 1984 (aged 4) near Docelles, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Home town | Lépanges-sur-Vologne, France |
| Parent(s) | Jean-Marie Villemin Christine Villemin |
Grégory Villemin (24 August 1980 – 16 October 1984) was a French boy from Lépanges-sur-Vologne who was murdered at the age of 4. His body was found 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) away in the Vologne River near Docelles. The case became known as the Grégory Affair (French: l'Affaire Grégory) and for decades has received widespread media coverage in France, where it continues to capture the public interest. The murder remains unsolved.
In the years preceding the murder, Gregory's parents the Villemins had been receiving anonymous letters and phone calls from a male threatening revenge against Grégory's father, Jean-Marie Villemin. This person, who had detailed knowledge of the extended Villemin family, came to be called Le Corbeau ("the Crow", French slang for "the informant").
At 5 pm on 16 October 1984, an anonymous phone call to the Villemin house told them "I have taken the boy" and that he had thrown him into the Vologne River. Grégory, who had been playing in front of the house, was found to be missing, and a manhunt followed. Grégory's body was later found in the Vologne with his hands and feet bound with rope and a woolen hat pulled down over his face.
On 17 October the Villemins received an anonymous letter saying "I have taken vengeance". Bernard Laroche, a cousin of Jean-Marie Villemin, was implicated in the murder by handwriting experts and by Laroche's sister-in-law and taken into custody on 5 November 1984. The sister-in-law later recanted her testimony and Laroche, who denied the crime or being "the Crow", was released on 4 February 1985. Jean-Marie Villemin vowed in front of the press that he would kill Laroche. On 25 March, handwriting experts identified Grégory's mother Christine as the likely author of the anonymous letters. On 29 March 1985, Jean-Marie Villemin shot Laroche dead as he was leaving for work. Jean-Marie Villemin was convicted of murder and served 5 years in prison for the crime.
In December 1986, Christine Villemin was charged with the murder, but she was ultimately cleared of the charges on 2 February 1993.
The case was reopened in 2000 to allow for DNA testing on a stamp used to send one of the anonymous letters, but the tests were inconclusive. In December 2008, following an application by the Villemins, a Judge ordered the case reopened to allow DNA testing of the rope used to bind Grégory, the letters, and other evidence. This testing proved inconclusive. Further DNA testing in April 2013 on Grégory's clothes and shoes was also inconclusive.
...
Wikipedia