The discovery of the body of an 11-year-old girl who had been missing has sparked outrage after it was revealed that the prime suspect, believed to be a father of one of her friends, had previously faced allegations of rape but had not been detained.
Authorities in France had been conducting a search for Lyhanna, who disappeared in the Gers region on May 29. The search efforts culminated in the finding of her body in an abandoned grain silo.
Reports from the police indicated that Lyhanna was last seen wearing a black-and-white striped top, black shorts, and yellow socks featuring characters from the Japanese manga series “One Piece”. Officials confirmed on Thursday that a child’s body dressed in similar attire had been located.
The suspect, who is currently in custody, was linked to the grain silo based on information that he had worked there in the past, as stated by Gers-region prosecutor Olivier Naboulet. While DNA evidence has confirmed the body as that of Lyhanna, further examination is required to determine the cause of death.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his shock and concern over the case, acknowledging flaws in the system and the need for accountability. Media reports revealed that the 41-year-old suspect was seen near Lyhanna’s school in Fleurance, Gers, and was captured on surveillance footage driving with her in his vehicle. He claimed to have dropped her off near a local swimming pool.
Another prosecutor, Clemence Meyer, disclosed that multiple complaints had been lodged against the suspect by young girls and their families, alleging various offenses, including rape. An investigation into a rape accusation from 2020 yielded no conclusive evidence, leading to the case being closed in 2024.
The suspect was under investigation for another rape allegation when Lyhanna went missing. A separate case involved a child who reported being raped by the suspect in 2024 and 2025. Additionally, a recent accusation of raping a minor against the suspect prompted a comprehensive inquiry by the government.
Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin condemned the handling of the case, citing delays in transferring information between jurisdictions, inadequate communication methods, and a failure to act on prior complaints against the suspect. He emphasized the need to take children’s statements seriously and address organizational deficiencies within the Justice Ministry.
The situation has raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing protocols and the importance of prioritizing child protection in legal proceedings.
