Young Lina probably died by “strangulation”, reports the prosecutor

The young Lina, a teenager who disappeared in September 2023 in Alsace whose body was found in October in a river near Nevers, probably died by “mechanical strangulation”reported, Thursday, December 19, the interim public prosecutor of Strasbourg, Alexandre Chevrier, in a press release.

“The autopsy operations did not make it possible to formally determine the cause of death”notes Mr. Chevrier. However, certain clues support the hypothesis that the 15-year-old girl was strangled with the straps of a tote bag.

In the autopsy report, forensic doctors “took care to specify that their conclusions had to be considered with a certain caution due to the state of degradation of the body and its prolonged exposure to an aquatic environment”underlines the magistrate. “It was nevertheless revealed a horizontal furrow under the chin, as well as the presence of tissue surrounding the cervical region and the base of the skull, these elements being in favor of mechanical strangulation using the tissue discovered”continues Mr. Chevrier.

The main suspect committed suicide

“The forensic doctors also noted the presence of linear cracks on the left part of the mandibular region, which could result from a traumatic action in the lower part of the mandible and in the upper part of the neck. Analyzes of the fabric revealed that it was a “tote bag” type bag.. “These elements tend to demonstrate that the death was the result of a strangulation maneuver using the handles of this bag”further specifies Mr. Chevrier. “If the analyzes make it possible to rule out death by drowning, it was however not possible to carry out a gynecological examination or sample”continues the prosecutor.

Likewise, no details are given on the date of the young girl’s death.

“To date, all the elements are in favor of solitary action on the part of Samuel Gonin”specifies Mr. Chevrier. However, the main suspect will never be able to answer the questions that remain unanswered since he committed suicide at the beginning of July at his home in Besançon.