Famille Villemin

The Fascinating and Tragic Story of the Famille Villemin

A Crime that Shocked France

The Villemin family tragedy is a heartbreaking tale that captivated France in the 1980s. It began on October 16, 1984, when four-year-old Grégory Villemin was found drowned in the Vologne River near his home in Lépanges-sur-Vologne, a small town in the Vosges region.

A Family's Torment

The murder sent shockwaves through the community, but the investigation that followed turned into a media circus and a national obsession.

Suspicion initially fell on the family, including Grégory's parents, Jean-Marie and Christine Villemin. However, DNA testing in 2017 proved their innocence.

A Web of Intrigue

The case took a sinister turn when anonymous letters began to arrive at the Villemin household, accusing family members of the murder. The letters were filled with bizarre and cryptic language, leading to intense speculation and a frenzied search for the sender.

After a complex and controversial investigation, Bernard Laroche, a cousin of Jean-Marie Villemin, was arrested and charged with the crime in 1984.

A Convoluted Trial

The trial that followed was highly publicized and filled with sensationalism. Laroche was convicted in 1986, but his conviction was overturned on appeal in 1993 due to insufficient evidence.

Tragically, Laroche was murdered in 1985, just months after his release from prison. His wife, Murielle Bolle, was convicted of his murder and served 25 years in prison.

An Unsolved Mystery

Despite the investigations and trials, the case of Grégory Villemin remains unsolved. The Villemin family has endured decades of torment and injustice, and the identity of the true killer remains a mystery.

The tragedy has left an enduring mark on French society, serving as a reminder of the devastating consequences of a violent crime and the complexities of justice.