Véronique and Laurent Blond, 56 and 58 years old, have been missing since March 16.
Originally from Tarn-et-Garonne, the couple went on vacation with their daughter to the island of Madeira.
An investigation has been opened.
They were supposed to return to work this Monday, but their bakery L’Épi Blond in Beaumont-de-Lomagne, in Tarn-et-Garonne, kept its doors closed this Monday. “Until recently, the sign on the door indicated that they had gone on vacation for two weeks. Now, the sign is ‘Exceptional closure for an indefinite period'”, explains to TF1info Pierre, owner of the Café des Sports, located a few meters from the bakery.
If the establishment is closed today, it is because the couple of bakers have been missing for nine days now. Véronique and Laurent Blond, 56 and 58 years old, were then on the island of Madeira, with their daughter Johanna. She was the one who reported their disappearance to the authorities.
They had gone hiking
According to information provided by Johanna Blond to the authorities, her parents left on Saturday March 16 to walk the trails of São Vicente and never returned to the hotel where they were staying with her. “The couple was last seen on Saturday (March 16) around 3:45 p.m. in the direction of Porto Moniz, in Calhau”according to a judicial Source close to the investigation cited by La Dépêche du Midi.
On the island’s Facebook pages, calls for witnesses were also launched. “To all walkers on the island, can you keep a very close eye on your travels to help in your own way with this research,” can we read in particular in messages posted shortly after the disappearance of the couple.
Significant resources mobilized
Since the disappearance of the couple, significant land and sea resources have been put in place to try to find the couple. In vain at this hour. “They disappeared without leaving a trace, neither backpack nor clothes,” indicates Commissioner João Góis to our colleagues from the local regional newspaper Diário de Notícias da Madeira.
Contacted by our editorial team this Monday, the Montauban public prosecutor had not yet responded to our request for information on this case at the beginning of the afternoon. Last weekend, the magistrate indicated to The Dispatch that searches were carried out last week at the couple’s home and that computer and telephone devices were seized on this occasion. According to him, nothing suspicious was found during this search that could suggest a voluntary disappearance.
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In Beaumont-de-Logagne, customers and merchants who knew the couple are in shock. “Everyone is asking questions and it’s not easy”comments the owner of the Café des Sports who, like everyone, hopes for a happy outcome to this affair.
