The body of an octogenarian, who went missing in 2009, was found at his home this fall.
The remains of a man were found at his home in Erstroff, 15 years after his disappearanceby the new owners of the house, the public prosecutor of Sarreguemines, Olivier Glady, told AFP on Monday.
“It is a remains reduced to the state of a skeleton which was discovered on Saturday afternoon. It wasin an outbuilding which is adjoining the main housein an inaccessible place, under the roof of this outbuilding, access to which was almost hidden”explained Mr. Glady, confirming information from the Lorraine Republican.
The discovery was made by people who bought this house in 2023 and have been renovating it since.
“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”said the prosecutor.
The skeleton was sent to the Strasbourg Forensic Institute to be identified but “it is quite likely” whether it is the former owner of the house, a man who disappeared in 2009 at the age of 81.
According to the Lorraine Republican, his disappearance remained unexplained and numerous searches had been organized to try to find him.
His wife died in 2020 and the house was subsequently sold. “The scene of discovery of the body is suggestive of suicide”said the prosecutor, who specified that a rope had been found still hanging in the attic.
The Forbach investigation brigade is responsible for the investigation into the search for the causes of death.
