The bones of a man who had been missing for 15 years were discovered in a house in Erstroff (Moselle), Olivier Glady, public prosecutor of Sarreguemines, said on Monday, confirming information of the Lorraine Republican. The macabre discovery was made on Saturday November 2 by the new owners of the house, acquired in 2023, while they were carrying out renovation work.
“It is a remains reduced to the state of a skeleton which was discovered on Saturday afternoon. It was in an outbuilding which is adjoining the main house, in an inaccessible place, under the roof of this outbuilding, of which the 'access was almost hidden'explained the prosecutor. The latter were looking for the origin of rainwater infiltration when they inadvertently gained access to this recess hidden under the roof. “It was while looking for the causes of rainwater infiltration into the roof that one of the owners somewhat inadvertently accessed this cubbyhole, in which he discovered the skeletal remains”specified the magistrate.
The scene aroused great emotion in the village, mobilizing the police and scientific experts. “They are all there: the gendarmerie, the scientific experts, the criminal brigade”a témoigné Jean-Claude Bohn, mayor of Erstroff, aupres de France 3.
According to initial hypotheses, the skeleton could be that of Aloïs Iffly, former owner of the house, missing since 2009 when he was 81 years old. His disappearance had given rise to numerous searches, including searches and scientific samples, but the investigation into a “disturbing disappearance” was closed without further action in 2016. “The situation of the discovery of this skeleton echoes, of course, the disappearance of the owner of the house at the beginning of autumn 2009”indicated the prosecutor.
“The scene of discovery of the body is suggestive of suicide”
The bones were transferred to the Forensic Institute (IML) in Strasbourg to allow in-depth analyses. “It is quite likely that this is the former owner of the house”added Olivier Glady, but genetic comparison tests are necessary to establish the formal identity of the victim.
Regarding the circumstances of the death, the prosecutor specified that “the scene of discovery of the body is suggestive of suicide”noting that a rope was found still hanging in the attic.
