Emile case: grandparents say they are "in danger" after arson attempt
The grandparents of young Emile have said they feel threatened after a fire targeted their residence in Haut-Vernet. A 78-year-old man remains in police custody.
Emile's grandparents targeted in arson attempt at Haut-Vernet
According to France Info, the grandparents of young Emile spoke on Sunday 17 May to BFMTV, the day after an arson attempt targeting their secondary residence in Haut-Vernet. A 78-year-old man, arrested on Saturday following the fire incidents, remained in police custody on Sunday morning, with the custody period having been extended.
"Today, our children and we ourselves are in danger because after the police custody periods, we have been crushed and thrown to the media wolves," the grandparents said. They stated that there "will always remain people intent on doing [them] harm".
Julien Pinelli, lawyer for Anne Vedovini, Emile's grandmother, indicated that police protection could be "useful" to them. He described the arson attempt as a "particularly distressing event", emphasising that it was "all the more so in a place so charged with emotion".
In 2025, Emile's grandparents and two of their adult children had been placed in police custody for "voluntary homicide" and "concealment of a body". They were released 48 hours later, the public prosecutor's office having determined that "the evidence was not sufficient" for any potential prosecution. Emile disappeared in July 2023.
Source: France Info