Body of Missing 11-Year-Old Lyhanna Found in Farm Silo; 41-Year-Old Man Arrested

French media reported that surveillance footage showed the 41-year-old suspect in front of Lyhanna’s school and later driving with her in his car.

The man told investigators he dropped her off near the municipal swimming pool. An autopsy has been ordered on the body. A 41-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection with the disappearance.

Prosecutor Clémence Meyer said young girls and their families had lodged multiple complaints against the suspect, including allegations of rape. One allegation that he raped a minor at his home in 2020 was investigated with medical evaluations and police interviews but was closed in 2024 for lack of evidence.

The suspect was already the subject of an ongoing police investigation for alleged rape when Lyhanna disappeared.

In that case, the child alleges repeated rapes at the suspect’s home in 2024 and 2025. The case has moved between jurisdictions. Another allegation of raping a minor was lodged against the man this week.

President Emmanuel Macron, speaking Friday during a visit to Montenegro, said the case had revealed cracks in the system. “Things didn’t happen as they should have done. That is clear. And so it is unacceptable,” he said.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said Thursday that officials will examine why casework took so long to transfer between jurisdictions, why information is still sent on paper rather than electronically, why police did not follow orders, and why authorities did not intervene despite months of complaints.

“It’s completely unacceptable,” Darmanin said. The government has launched an investigation into the handling of the case.