Local prosecutors have confirmed that the remains of a toddler who went missing from a small hamlet in France eight months ago have been discovered.
Emile Soleil, a 2-year-old toddler, disappeared during a family reunion in Le Vernet, a quaint village located in the Alpes-des-Haute-Provence region. The village, home to approximately 125 residents, became the setting for the mysterious disappearance of young Emile on 8 July of last year.
A massive search operation was launched, utilizing drones, sniffer dogs, and helicopters, in an effort to locate the missing toddler.
A hiker made a significant discovery on Saturday, as reported by BFMTV. Further searches are currently underway to gather more information.
According to Le Figaro, François Balique, the mayor of Vernet, mentioned that the location where Emile’s bones were found is currently undergoing excavation.
According to the statement provided, the area in question is a frequented spot for hunters, their dogs, and local residents. Additionally, forestry work was conducted in the autumn.
The Aix-en-Provence public prosecutor made an announcement on Sunday regarding a significant development. According to their statement, on March 30, 2024, the national gendarmerie received information about the discovery of bones in the vicinity of the Vernet hamlet.
The IRCGN is currently conducting criminalistic analyses of the bones, under the supervision of the investigating magistrates. Furthermore, the national gendarmerie is committed to deploying resources for further research in the specific geographical area where the bones were discovered.
Tributes for the boy poured into the Facebook group “Pray for Emile”, where Emile’s mother frequently sought prayers to locate her young son.
One person expressed their condolences to the recipient, saying, “I am thinking of you during this difficult time. I hope that God welcomes your little Émile into his paradise, where love and kindness prevail. May he provide you with the strength and courage you need, and may you and your entire family be surrounded by love.”
One person expressed their support by saying, “You are in my thoughts and prayers not just today, but in the days to come.”
Emile’s family resides in Marseille, and he was vacationing at his maternal grandparents’ house when he went missing. During the time of his disappearance, there were at least 10 individuals gathered at the property for a family reunion, according to the police.
As the family prepared to embark on a hiking outing, Emile’s absence was noticed by his grandparents just as they were about to put him in the car.
According to reports, two individuals claim to have witnessed Emile leaving their residence. However, they eventually lost sight of him. Emile, described as being 3ft tall with brown eyes and blond hair, was last seen wearing a yellow T-shirt, white shorts with a green pattern, and a pair of walking shoes.
On July 9th, the police made a plea for any information regarding Emile and initiated a thorough search operation in Le Vernet. They received assistance from almost 500 volunteers during this extensive search.
The search for Emile was called off on 13 July, leaving investigators with no clue about what had happened to him.
