In July of 2023, 2-year-old Emile Soleil went missing while visiting his grandparents. Several months later, he was found dead by a hiker, only a mile from the grandparents' house. The grandparents have now been arrested on suspicion of the murder of the toddler.
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Emile Soleil was spending time in the small mountain village of Haut-Vernet in the French Alps. His grandparents own a home there, and they, along with nine aunties and uncles were enjoying the summer together.
At the time of his disappearance, there were a lot of family members staying in the home. They were assisting with renovations. On July 8th, 2023, the toddler was seen walking along the streets of the village. This was the last time he was seen alive.
The grandparents, named Philippe and Anne Vedovini, reported the child missing only an hour after his disappearance. Within the day, an enormous search party was launched. Over 800 volunteers and military personnel were deployed, along with 10 sniffer dogs. However, the young boy could not be found.
Several months later, a hiker stumbled across the body of the dead toddler. He found him in an area previously searched. Forensic testing confirmed that the body was of the missing boy. A cause of death has not been determined.
Family Held On Suspicion Of Murder
Now, both grandparents and two other unnamed family members are being held on suspicion of the murder of the toddler. "These police custody placements are part of a phase of verification and comparison of the evidence and information gathered during the investigations carried out in recent months," a local prosecutor has said.
It is possible to hold someone without a charge in France. In this case, it is in order to determine a number of facts surrounding the death of the toddler. The grandparent's house was raided, and a horse box and car were also seized during the arrest.
The parents of the toddler were able to finally hold a funeral for him last month. The discovery of his body sparked a new investigation. It also finally gave them the chance to lay their child to rest.
