Three people now believe they may have encountered Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès, during a religious gathering near Besançon. An investigation to “search for the causes of the disappearance” has been opened and DNA analyzes are underway.
A new twist in the Dupont de Ligonnès affair. After the report of a woman who thinks she may have come across Xavier Dupont-de-Ligonnès in Doubs, two new people also claim to have recognized him, reveals L’Est Républicain on Friday April 5. The three people are said to have recognized the fugitive Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès during a religious gathering several weeks ago. Suspected of having killed his wife and four children in Nantes in 2011, the man, who must be 63 years old today, is still wanted. These new testimonies immediately triggered checks.
“The investigators found people who were present that day and carried out numerous hearings,” announced the public prosecutor, Étienne Manteaux.
An investigation was also opened and entrusted to the gendarmes of the Besançon research brigade. According to testimonies, Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès was seen within the community of sisters of Béthanie. A sorority known for welcoming women upon their release from prison to enable them to become nuns, explains the regional daily. A particularity which led investigators to take a close interest in this lead.
“They found various objects, including a cup. It was taken in order to be analyzed. The gendarmes contacted the Nantes investigating judge in charge of the case, who will validate or not the DNA comparisons,” indicated the prosecutor , adding that at this stage “we cannot formally exclude that it is not Dupont de Ligonnès”.
The religious avenue had been explored several times. In January 2018, a law enforcement operation was carried out in a monastery in the Var after several reports from faithful convinced they had recognized the alleged murderer at mass. It was ultimately a monk who resembled him, recalls L’Est republican.
