Overview
- The body of an 11-year-old boy was found on the banks of the Vilaine in Rennes on Sunday after a fisherman heard cries and alerted police; a wet bath towel was tied tightly around the child’s neck and emergency teams could not revive him.
- The parquet opened an inquiry for "meurtre sur mineur de moins de 15 ans" and assigned the case to the Division of Organized and Specialized Crime (DCOS) to lead the investigation.
- A 16-year-old boy was arrested at his home and a 15-year-old girl later presented herself to police; both were placed in garde à vue after being seen with the victim near the scene.
- Prosecutors reported on Tuesday that the two minors told investigators they acted to recover fishing lures the victim had allegedly taken, and officers say the victim’s effects and fishing equipment were later found at the suspects’ residence.
- Police-scientific teams and divers continue forensic searches and witness interviews, while the family has asked for privacy and authorities stress that statements and motives remain under verification as the inquiry progresses.