The couple was found dead on Thursday January 23 on the grounds of a house in Saint-Martin-aux-Chartrains, although their disappearance had been reported the day before. The investigation quickly determined that it was a death of criminal origin.
The bodies of two 20-year-old young people were discovered Thursday January 23 in the town of Saint-Martin-aux-Chartrains, in Calvados, the day after their disappearance was reported.
According to the Caen public prosecutor, the first elements of the investigation reveal a death of criminal origin. A man in his thirties, who was in contact with the victims on the day of their disappearance, is at this stage “actively wanted”.
· Bodies discovered on land
The bodies of Maeva and Martin, both aged 20, were discovered this Thursday, January 23, even though their disappearance had been reported the day before.
Their bodies were found on the grounds of a house near the town hall parking lot. The couple's car was found, empty, in this parking lot on Thursday, where residents had also seen their dog wandering.
Questioned by BFM Normandie, the mayor of Saint-Martin-aux-Chartrains indicated that the victims were found “on a path which is not frequented (…), a dead-end path”.
Relatives of the two victims also went to this area on Thursday morning, to try to find the two young people, living in Trouville-sur-Mer.
· An investigation into murders
On Thursday, the Caen public prosecutor indicated that the first elements of the investigation reported a death of criminal origin, “one of the bodies presenting significant wounds to the face, and the other presenting traces likely to correspond to bullet impacts.
The prosecution confirmed this Friday that the autopsy on the body of the young man, Martin, revealed head trauma and traces of blows to the face. “It is also confirmed that this young man was the victim of a gunshot,” specifies the prosecutor.
The autopsy of the second victim, Maeva, must be carried out at the beginning of next week. The investigation department of the Caen judicial court was seized of the case and a judicial investigation into murder was opened.
· A suspect actively sought
The Caen public prosecutor's office indicated this Friday that a suspect has been identified in this case and remains “actively sought”.
-It is a man in his thirties, son of the owner of the land where the bodies were found, the mayor of Saint-Martin-aux-Chartrains confirmed to BFM Normandie.
The Caen prosecutor specifies that this man “would have been in contact with the victims during the day of January 22”, i.e. the day the couple's disappearance was reported. He is currently “the subject of a search warrant from the investigating judge”.
The suspect is “potentially armed and dangerous”, warns the prosecution.
· The shock in the village
The mayor of Saint-Martin-aux-Chartrains spoke to BFM Normandie of a “shock wave” in the village of barely 500 inhabitants where the bodies were found.
“Everyone is worried, what happened? We are not used to this kind of event in our small town. Serious events like that disturb everyone,” testifies Thierry de Koninck.
Residents also say they are surprised that such a tragedy could occur in the small town of Calvados. “We know that we are not safe anywhere,” laments a resident.
Sylvie de Gaetano, the mayor of Trouville-sur-Mer, where the couple resided, said in a statement that she had learned “with dismay” of the couple's death “in violent circumstances” and sent her condolences to the victims' relatives.
Maeva's relatives have launched an online fundraiser which “will be donated to her parents” to organize the young woman's funeral. The prize pool has so far collected more than 3,600 euros.
Mélina Fonck with Laurène Rocheteau
