Horror as body of young girl, 11, discovered as chilling details about suspect emerge

The body of an 11-year-old girl has been discovered as a suspect who has been accused of rape multiple times in the past is charged with her killing. The death of Lyhanna has sent shockwaves across France and triggered a political row after it emerged the man at the centre of the investigation had previously been the subject of several complaints involving young girls.

The schoolgirl vanished after leaving school in the Gers department of south-west France last week, prompting a major search operation. Her body was later found on agricultural land close to Fleurance. A 41-year-old man, identified by French authorities as Jérome B, was taken into custody on Monday. Investigators believe he knew Lyhanna through his daughter, who was reportedly friends with the youngster. The case has intensified scrutiny of the French justice system after prosecutors disclosed details of previous allegations made against the suspect. Officials said he had previously come to the attention of authorities in four separate matters involving underage girls.

While two investigations were dropped due to insufficient evidence, another resulted in him losing his job as a maintenance worker at a secondary school following allegations of "inappropriate behaviour" towards a teenager.

Questions are now being asked about a complaint lodged last August by the mother of a 10-year-old girl.

According to the prosecutor in Auch, the woman alleged her daughter had been raped by Jérome B on multiple occasions.

Prosecutors said medical evidence was consistent with the child's account.

Despite that, the suspect had not been interviewed by investigators in the months before Lyhanna disappeared.

The revelation has fuelled public anger, with politicians from across the spectrum demanding answers over whether warning signs were missed.

Despite the complaint being made in August last year and prosecutors saying medical examinations supported the alleged victim's account, Jérome B had not been questioned by investigators in the nine months before Lyhanna disappeared.

The revelation has fuelled public anger, with politicians from across the spectrum demanding answers over whether warning signs were missed.

Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, wrote on X: "The French people demand a reckoning. This terrible tragedy could have been avoided if the justice system were not so dysfunctional."

Bruno Retailleau, of Les Républicains, also criticised the system, saying: "Our justice system is a failure, it should be totally reformed. A society that is incapable of protecting its own children is a society which will one day start turning against itself."

Meanwhile, Marine Tondelier, leader of the Ecologists, described the case as a "symbol of a politico-judicial system incapable of handling the issue of sexist and sexual violence".

President Emmanuel Macron admitted there had been failings in the handling of the matter.

"It is unacceptable. We cannot look Lyhanna's family in the face and say this was properly handled," he said.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said he was "terrified" by the developments and questioned why stronger action had not been taken sooner.

"It is fair to ask why [a man] who was so obviously the object of suspicions was not kept away from youngsters... Why did no-one act, even though for months there had been complaints against him?" he said.

France's Prime Minister has now ordered an urgent report into the handling of the previous complaints, with findings expected within 15 days.