Crépol: one year after the death of Thomas, a stele erected in his memory

It is a large, massive stone, decorated with two metal hearts. On a plaque, we can read “in memory of Thomas and in support of all those injured at the ball. Crépol, November 18-19, 2023”. This commemorative stele was inaugurated this Sunday, November 17 in Crépol, almost a year to the day after the murder of Thomas Perotto. Nearly 150 attended its unveilingin complete privacy, as desired by the association of victims of the Crépol ball, which financed this stele. In fact, the media were almost not present, a relief for the inhabitants of the village after the media storm they had to endure. A year after the tragedy, faces are still serious, eyes are sometimes moist and tongues are becoming more and more loose. Some people present at the ball are just beginning to put into words what they experienced.

“A very simple stele, like Thomas”

Residents of Crépol and beyond, young people from the Thomas rugby club, friends, family… the people present at this tribute seem united. This was the wish of Emmanuelle, the president of the association of victims of the Crépol ball. “It's important, we are united in this fight. The hearts on the stele represent love, bond, strength, union. The stone represents nature, eternity. We needed a place to gather, many people no longer go to the village hall. This place is pretty, out of sight.” A small piece of the stone was distributed to those who wished it and metal hearts were on sale for the benefit of the association. Danielle, Thomas' grandmother, bought one. “Ca did me good, the mass, the speeches, this pretty, simple stele with the image of Thomas. Since retirement, I was the one who went to pick him up from sports and school, I was very attached to him.” she confides.

Lives turned upside down

After the tribute, those present were able to chat around a drink. Some relive the film of this tragic evening, others evoke the ongoing investigation. For everyone, life is no longer the same as it was a year ago. “It’s still a trauma,” whispers a 24-year-old young woman present that evening. She wishes to remain anonymous. “It's youth, the age when we go out. It's hard. Now we're going out again, but not in the same way, we'll prefer to meet at someone's house rather than go to a nightclub “she explains. “I’m afraid of the night, of noises and of firefighters”lists Martine. She was not present at the Crépol ball, but as if by ricochet, the trauma of that evening ended up affecting all the inhabitants of the town. “Today, we must move forward, rebuild together“, concludes Emmanuelle.