Body found near location where 11-year-old Liana went missing in France
A body has been discovered near the spot where 11-year-old Liana was last seen in France. The case raises serious questions about the handling of previous complaints against the main suspect.
Body found near location where 11-year-old Liana went missing in France
A body has been recovered near the location where young Liana, aged 11, was last seen in connection with her presumed abduction in France. French authorities have not yet officially confirmed the identity of the remains, but all leads are being examined by investigators.
According to information provided by the ERTnews correspondent in Paris, Thomas Papaïoannou, the case has caused considerable shock in French public opinion. This sense of outrage stems not only from the tragic disappearance of the child, but also from revelations concerning the previous handling of reports involving the main suspect.
The investigation is focusing on Jérôme Barrela, a 41-year-old man already in pre-trial detention and accused of abducting the minor. Recent revelations indicate that at least three complaints had been filed against him in recent years for sexual assaults and rapes of children aged 7 to 10. However, no substantive legal proceedings had been initiated following these reports.
A fourth complaint was also added to the file whilst the investigation into Liana's disappearance was underway. A father stated that his own child had also been victimised by the same individual. According to information from the ERTnews correspondent, three of the four cases involve allegations of rape of minor girls.
A particularly disturbing complaint had been submitted in August 2025. A young girl was allegedly raped repeatedly at the suspect's home after being invited there by his daughter. The family filed a complaint, but the matter remained unresolved for nine months. The 41-year-old man had not even been summoned as part of an investigation proceeding. According to the same information, the alleged abuser reportedly threatened the young victim with suicide if she withdrew her accusations, further aggravating the child's psychological distress.
Concerning Liana, investigators believe the suspect had developed a close relationship with the child through the friendship she maintained with his daughter. He allegedly systematically approached the girl, offering her gifts, communicating regularly with her by telephone and waiting for her at the exit of her school, which had worried her parents.
Investigators are now examining the possibility that the 11-year-old girl suffered sexual abuse before her death, although no official evidence confirms this hypothesis at this stage.
Meanwhile, the case is taking on the dimensions of an institutional scandal, as accusations of inaction by authorities in the face of repeated reports emerge. According to statements by Thomas Papaïoannou, the mother of a young victim had contacted police services repeatedly to obtain information about the progress of the case, without result.
Following these revelations, the prosecutor's office announced the opening of an administrative inquiry to determine why at least three serious complaints against the same person had not resulted in swift intervention by the authorities.
The case has provoked strong reactions in France and is likely to fuel broader debate on the responsibilities of judicial and police authorities in handling reports of child sexual abuse.
Criminal investigations continue. To date, no bloodstain has been found in the suspect's vehicle that would establish a homicide. Examination of his mobile telephone revealed that he maintained communications with a large number of minor girls.
Source: ERT