Murder in Nogent-sur-Aube: 60-year-old man killed with blows to face, no arrests
The investigation into the death of Bruno M. in Nogent-sur-Aube has been reclassified as murder with premeditation. Autopsy confirms violent blows to the face; no suspects have been arrested.
Reclassification as murder following death of Nogent-sur-Aube resident
According to france3-regions.franceinfo.fr, the Troyes public prosecutor's office has reclassified the investigation initially opened for "murder" as "assassination" following the death of Bruno M., a 60-year-old man found dead in the courtyard of his home in Nogent-sur-Aube (Aube), on 22 September. This reclassification occurred three days later, on 25 September. Unlike murder, assassination presupposes premeditation of the act.
The autopsy, conducted at the medico-legal institute in Reims, provided decisive findings. "The death was the result of violent blows inflicted to the face," stated Troyes prosecutor Isabelle Verissimo in a statement. No arrests have yet been made at this stage.
The incident dates back to the evening of 22 September, around 21:30. A village resident was alerted by shouts coming from the victim's home, before spotting a group of individuals fleeing. Emergency services, called immediately, confirmed death upon arrival. "He presented injuries to the face and the back of the skull, suggesting the involvement of a third party," prosecutor Verissimo had stated in an earlier statement.
Nogent-sur-Aube is a village of approximately 300 inhabitants located north-east of Troyes. Bruno M. was a well-known figure there, involved in the local hunters' and fishermen's association. "He was someone who was approaching retirement, we saw him often at the town hall for paperwork. I hope there will be a resolution, the residents are starting to become anxious," the village mayor said.
The investigation is being conducted by the Reims search and investigation unit.
Source: Google News FR — Crime (fr)