Police in northern France have launched a murder investigation after the body of an 11-year-old girl, who had been reported missing, was found in a wooded area.
The girl’s family reported her missing on Friday, February 7, around 1:50 p.m., after she did not return from school in Epinay-sur-Orge, a town close to Paris. Her usual walk home took only about ten minutes. According to reports, her body was discovered later that night, approximately 12 hours after her disappearance was reported.
The girl has been identified as Louise Lasalle. Her older sister had previously posted on social media to ask for the public’s assistance in finding her after she was last seen crossing a street in Longjumeau, where the family resides.
Police reviewed CCTV footage and saw Louise entering the Bois des Templiers woods near her school. Search operations began immediately using dogs, helicopters, and drones. By 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, her body was located. An autopsy revealed that she had suffered multiple stab wounds, though the official cause of death is still under investigation.
Authorities expressed their sorrow in a statement, saying that all available resources were deployed to find her as soon as she was reported missing.
Two individuals—a 23-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman—were taken into custody after the man was seen on camera following Louise. The man was known to the police. However, after questioning, both individuals were released, with the woman’s family stating she was not involved in the incident.
The local prosecutor has opened a formal investigation into the murder of a minor, with the case now handled by the Versailles judicial police.
In a show of solidarity, a church service was held in honor of Louise, while France’s Minister of Education expressed condolences to the family and the community, highlighting the need for a thorough investigation into this tragic event.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the details surrounding this heartbreaking case.
