“We are all extremely touched”, a 76-year-old man kills his niece in his home before killing himself

A septuagenarian shot his niece at home in front of her partner, Saturday December 21, 2024, before killing himself in the town of Montjoire, near Toulouse (Haute-Garonne). The Toulouse public prosecutor's office opened an investigation and ordered an autopsy of the two bodies.

Sudden awakening in Montjoire in Haute-Garonne. Saturday December 21, 2024, a 76-year-old man shot his niece, aged 70, with a gunshot at her home, according to information revealed by our colleagues at the Midday dispatch and confirmed by the mayor of Montjoire.

The tragedy occurred around 8:30 a.m. at the victim's home in the presence of the latter's companion who witnessed the scene. A few minutes later, the perpetrator apparently turned the weapon on himself in front of the gate of the house to kill himself behind his vehicle.

A family drama of incredible violence which has upset the 1,200 inhabitants of this town, located north of Toulouse, since yesterday.

“Everyone is upset,” testifies Isabelle Gousmar, first magistrate of the commune, this Sunday, December 22, 2024, to France 3 Occitanie. “A nurse had visited this lady, an hour before the tragedy, to administer her treatment. She was doing well. The healthcare professional is extremely touched, it’s scary. We are all extremely touched!”

The victim's companion was not injured, but he was very shocked. It is on the basis of his first statements that the Toulouse public prosecutor's office, which opened an investigation, is considering a murder followed by a suicide. An autopsy of the two bodies must be carried out at the beginning of the week at the Purpan forensic institute.

The victim, suffering from an incurable illness, was a very discreet woman who had already lived in Montjoire for several years. His uncle would be domiciled in Tarn.