The grandparents of Emile Soleil have been released without facing charges, two days following their detention connected to the toddler’s mysterious disappearance and subsequent death in the French Alps last July. Philippe Vedovini and his spouse Anne were among four individuals taken into custody earlier this week on suspicions of murder and concealing a corpse. The other two individuals, the couple's adult children, were also released without any charges Thursday morning, according to prosecutor Jean-Luc Blachon.
In a significant development, Mr. Blachon disclosed that investigators have revised their understanding of the case, now believing that Emile's clothing and remains were transported to the woods where they were located shortly before their discovery in spring. Furthermore, an examination of Emile's skull revealed signs of "violent facial trauma," indicating the possibility of a third party's involvement in his disappearance and death.
The previous theory suggested that the young boy may have wandered off and fallen, leading to his tragic demise. The released individuals were interrogated but have cooperated with the investigation, which though still focused on family members, is not yet fully conclusive. The prosecutor emphasized their determination to clarify the circumstances surrounding Emile's death.
Under French law, suspects can be briefly detained for questioning while police assess their potential involvement in a crime. The lawyer for Emile’s grandmother, Julien Pinelli, remarked that Mrs. Vedovini was now recovering from the stressful ordeal. “It's been a tense and trying 48 hours,” he described, while also expressing hope that the family's involvement in the case could be ruled out and set aside.
Emile was last seen on July 8, 2023, when neighbors reported seeing him walk alone on the narrow street in the small Alpine village of Haut-Vernet, where he was staying at his grandparents’ holiday home. The tragic circumstances surrounding his disappearance led to extensive search efforts involving hundreds of people, including police and military personnel with sniffer dogs, but Emile seemed to have disappeared completely. His remains were only discovered in March 2024, a short distance from the village, in a challenging wooded terrain that was difficult to access. This heartbreaking case continues to attract widespread attention across France.
In a significant development, Mr. Blachon disclosed that investigators have revised their understanding of the case, now believing that Emile's clothing and remains were transported to the woods where they were located shortly before their discovery in spring. Furthermore, an examination of Emile's skull revealed signs of "violent facial trauma," indicating the possibility of a third party's involvement in his disappearance and death.
The previous theory suggested that the young boy may have wandered off and fallen, leading to his tragic demise. The released individuals were interrogated but have cooperated with the investigation, which though still focused on family members, is not yet fully conclusive. The prosecutor emphasized their determination to clarify the circumstances surrounding Emile's death.
Under French law, suspects can be briefly detained for questioning while police assess their potential involvement in a crime. The lawyer for Emile’s grandmother, Julien Pinelli, remarked that Mrs. Vedovini was now recovering from the stressful ordeal. “It's been a tense and trying 48 hours,” he described, while also expressing hope that the family's involvement in the case could be ruled out and set aside.
Emile was last seen on July 8, 2023, when neighbors reported seeing him walk alone on the narrow street in the small Alpine village of Haut-Vernet, where he was staying at his grandparents’ holiday home. The tragic circumstances surrounding his disappearance led to extensive search efforts involving hundreds of people, including police and military personnel with sniffer dogs, but Emile seemed to have disappeared completely. His remains were only discovered in March 2024, a short distance from the village, in a challenging wooded terrain that was difficult to access. This heartbreaking case continues to attract widespread attention across France.
