A teenage suspect has confessed to the murder of an 86-year-old woman who was found dead with her throat slit amid other fatal blows near a campsite in the southern French resort of Grau-du-Roi, according to local media reports.
The victim, identified as Jacqueline, was discovered on June 11 near a pond close to a campsite where she had spent holidays for many years. Emergency services found the elderly woman with her throat cut and extensive injuries, prompting the opening of a murder investigation by authorities in the Gard department.
Five days later, investigators arrested a suspect, reported by Actu Nîmes to be a minor aged around 15. He was taken into custody in Nîmes on June 16, where he allegedly confessed to carrying out the killing.
Due to the suspect’s age, no further description was provided by the authorities.
According to La Dépêche, the suspect told investigators he attacked the victim using a drill. His account is said to be consistent with findings from an autopsy conducted at Nîmes University Hospital, where forensic specialists documented significant injuries that investigators described as evidence of an exceptionally violent assault.
Authorities believe surveillance camera footage may have played a key role in identifying the suspect. Investigators reportedly traced a young male riding a motorcycle near the crime scene around the time of the killing.
While reports indicate the suspect has admitted responsibility for the attack, prosecutors have not publicly disclosed any motive. The exact nature of any relationship between the suspect and the victim also remains unclear.
The investigation is ongoing.
