Mystery in French Alps: Toddler Disappears Without a Trace
French police have called off the massive search for Émile, a two-year-old boy who vanished from his grandparents’ home in the tiny village of Le Vernet. Despite days of intense efforts, the tot remains missing.
Massive Manhunt Yields No Clues
Since Monday, hundreds of officers, firefighters, and volunteers combed the 1,000-acre area around Le Vernet. Search dogs and helicopters with thermal cameras joined the hunt, but all efforts came up empty.
Investigation Widens: Police Probe Possibility of Foul Play
Authorities seized phone records and other data, checking movements of village residents when Émile disappeared. Prosecutor Rémy Avon says no leads are ruled out. Gendarmerie chief Jacques Morel suspects a third party may be involved, saying the tot couldn’t have wandered off alone.
Chilling Past Shadows Quiet Village
Le Vernet, home to just 20 houses, has been rocked by tragedy before. In 2008, café owner Jeanette Grosos was fatally attacked by a customer. Then, in 2015, the village felt the shockwaves of the Germanwings Flight 4U 9525 crash, which claimed 150 lives after being deliberately brought down by the pilot.
