In Erstroff in Moselle, a family discovered human remains on Saturday, November 2, while carrying out work in their house. An investigation is open. It could be the body of the former owner of the premises. An 81-year-old man who disappeared fifteen years ago.
Company
From daily life to major issues, discover the subjects that make up local society, such as justice, education, health and family.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the “Society” newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
At the end of the afternoon, Saturday November 2, 2024, the Day of the Dead, there was commotion in the streets of the town of Erstroff, near Morhange in Moselle. “They are all there: the gendarmerie, the scientific experts, the criminal brigade”this is what Jean-Claude Bohn says, the village mayor, contacted by telephone by France 3 Lorraine. “It was while carrying out work in the outbuilding of their house near the church square that the new owners discovered a skeleton.”
On site, investigators attest that there is indeed the discovery of a decomposing body. “I confirm that there are bones. But be careful, the causes of death have yet to be determined,” specifies the commander of the Forbach gendarmerie company, Benoit Vautrin. He further specifies that “The identity of the victim has not yet been established.”
The situation surrounding the discovery of this skeleton echoes, of course, the disappearance of the owner of the house in early fall 2009.
Olivier Glady, public prosecutor of Sarreguemines
The discovery was made by people who bought this house last year. They have been renovating it ever since. “It was while looking for the causes of rainwater infiltration into the roof that one of the owners gained access, somewhat by chance, to this shed,” told France 3 Lorraine, the public prosecutor of Sarreguemines, Olivier Glady. “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,” adds Olivier Glady.
The house belonged to Aloïs Iffly, an 81-year-old resident of the village. He disappeared fifteen years ago. “We opened an investigation into a worrying disappearance at the time.” A long and careful investigation lasting several weeks. Divers, calls for witnesses, scientific samples. The case was dismissed in 2016.
For now, in order to carry out all the analyses, the body has been transferred by the Metz criminal investigation unit to the Strasbourg forensic institute. We have to be very certain that this is the man who disappeared in 2009.”We will now investigate the causes of death and carry out the necessary examinations. It also involves establishing the identification of the victim through genetic comparison. it's Olivier Glady.
But is this a cold case? “Why not”. Accident or homicide? “Let’s wait, but the scene of discovery of the body is suggestive of suicide”explains Olivier Glady. The investigation is entrusted to the Forbach research brigade.
