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Body parts of French family of four found at farm of accused Body parts of French family of four found at farm of accused
(35 minutes later)
French investigators have found body parts at the home of the man who has confessed to killing four relatives with a crowbar, the prosecutor handling the case said on Wednesday.French investigators have found body parts at the home of the man who has confessed to killing four relatives with a crowbar, the prosecutor handling the case said on Wednesday.
Hubert Caouissin was let out of custody to accompany investigators to his farm in a remote part of Brittany, north-west France, and was cooperating in the gruesome search, Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennès said.Hubert Caouissin was let out of custody to accompany investigators to his farm in a remote part of Brittany, north-west France, and was cooperating in the gruesome search, Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennès said.
Caouissin, 46, had told investigators he cut up the bodies of his brother-in-law and his family at his farm in the hamlet of Logonna-Quimerc’h.Caouissin, 46, had told investigators he cut up the bodies of his brother-in-law and his family at his farm in the hamlet of Logonna-Quimerc’h.
He said he burned some of the body parts and buried others after killing Pascal Troadec and his wife, Brigitte, both 49, and their two children, Charlotte, 18, and Sebastien, 21, in a rage over an inheritance dispute.He said he burned some of the body parts and buried others after killing Pascal Troadec and his wife, Brigitte, both 49, and their two children, Charlotte, 18, and Sebastien, 21, in a rage over an inheritance dispute.
Caouissin’s partner, 47-year-old Lydie Troadec – Brigitte’s sister, who has been charged with helping dispose of the bodies – remained in custody and did not take part in the hunt, a source close to the investigation said. Both were charged on Monday and remanded in custody in Nantes. Caouissin’s partner, 47-year-old Lydie Troadec – Pascal’s sister, who has been charged with helping dispose of the bodies – remained in custody and did not take part in the hunt, a source close to the investigation said. Both were charged on Monday and remanded in custody in Nantes.
The discovery was made after hundreds of police and investigators fanned out in the woods and fields around Caouissin’s property and on the muddy banks of the Auln river that forms one boundary. There they found “body parts and jewellery” belonging to the victims, Sennès said.The discovery was made after hundreds of police and investigators fanned out in the woods and fields around Caouissin’s property and on the muddy banks of the Auln river that forms one boundary. There they found “body parts and jewellery” belonging to the victims, Sennès said.
The searched carried on late into Wednesday night and would resume on Thursday, said local police chief Jean-Rene Personnic. He added investigators were searching 30 hectares of ground he described as “rugged and swampy”.The searched carried on late into Wednesday night and would resume on Thursday, said local police chief Jean-Rene Personnic. He added investigators were searching 30 hectares of ground he described as “rugged and swampy”.
Caouissin was employed at a shipyard in the port of Brest, but had been off work for the past three years with depression.Caouissin was employed at a shipyard in the port of Brest, but had been off work for the past three years with depression.
He told investigators he thought Pascal Troadec had kept gold coins for himself that were part of an inheritance that should have been shared with him. The value of the coins – and even their existence – remain uncertain.He told investigators he thought Pascal Troadec had kept gold coins for himself that were part of an inheritance that should have been shared with him. The value of the coins – and even their existence – remain uncertain.
Sennès told a news conference on Monday that Caouissin had harboured “great rancour” during the nearly decade-old dispute. On the night of 16 February, he said Caouissin spent the evening hiding in the garage adjoining the family’s property in Nantes, waiting until the family went to bed. He then entered the house intending to steal a key he had seen on a sideboard.Sennès told a news conference on Monday that Caouissin had harboured “great rancour” during the nearly decade-old dispute. On the night of 16 February, he said Caouissin spent the evening hiding in the garage adjoining the family’s property in Nantes, waiting until the family went to bed. He then entered the house intending to steal a key he had seen on a sideboard.
Sennès said the noise he made woke the Troadec couple, who came downstairs to find themselves face to face with the intruder. He admitted the exact details of what followed had yet to be established but said Caouissin claimed Pascal Troadec was carrying a crowbar, which he managed to wrest from his grasp.Sennès said the noise he made woke the Troadec couple, who came downstairs to find themselves face to face with the intruder. He admitted the exact details of what followed had yet to be established but said Caouissin claimed Pascal Troadec was carrying a crowbar, which he managed to wrest from his grasp.
“He hit and killed Pascal and Brigitte Troadec first then killed Sebastien and Charlotte. The crime scene was one of great violence. Mr Caouissin stayed until the early hours then returned to the home he shared with Lydie Troadec and told her what had happened,” Sennès said.“He hit and killed Pascal and Brigitte Troadec first then killed Sebastien and Charlotte. The crime scene was one of great violence. Mr Caouissin stayed until the early hours then returned to the home he shared with Lydie Troadec and told her what had happened,” Sennès said.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this report