Investigation reveals alleged barriers to filing complaint in case
Police allegedly discouraged complaint filing; death's cause determined but withheld from public.
Event / Security
Jérôme Barella Murder Investigation
Criminal investigation into Jérôme Barella charged with murder and rape of 11-year-old Lyhanna in Gers, France. Additional complaint filed September 2026 alleges inappropriate messages to a 13-year-old girl in 2025. Questions raised about police response to prior complaints.
3 reported locations
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2026-09-04 to 2026-11-07 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 4 Sept, 14:46 UTC
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What happened
Jérôme Barella charged with murder and rape of 11-year-old Lyhanna
Jérôme Barella, a 41-year-old man, was placed under investigation and charged with murder and rape of a minor under 15 years old in connection with the death of Lyhanna, an 11-year-old middle school student. Lyhanna disappeared in late May 2026 and her body was found on June 4, 2026, in an agricultural silo in Fleurance, Gers. Medical examinations confirmed the victim had been raped.
Jérôme Barella had four prior complaints for sexual assault on minors
Before the Lyhanna investigation, Jérôme Barella was already the subject of four complaints for rape of minors under 15 years old and sexual assault. Despite these complaints and reports, he had never been arrested or summoned for questioning before his detention in June 2026 in connection with Lyhanna's death.
Gendarmes allegedly discouraged family from filing complaint
The mother and 13-year-old girl wished to file a complaint about Barella's messages two months before actually doing so but were discouraged by gendarmes during an initial hearing. They were subsequently summoned for a formal interview on July 1, 2026, following Lyhanna's death, where the girl showed the messages to authorities.
New complaint filed against Jérôme Barella for child corruption
A new complaint for child corruption was filed with the Auch prosecutor's office on September 3, 2026, against Jérôme Barella. The complaint concerns dozens of messages sent to a 13-year-old girl between February and summer 2025. In these messages, Barella requested photos from the girl, invited her to the swimming pool, and proposed a sleepover at his home with his daughters. The girl, who met Barella at her taekwondo club, eventually blocked him in summer 2025.
Cause of Lyhanna's death determined but kept confidential
The parents' lawyer, François Roujou de Boubée, confirmed that supplementary medical analyses have revealed the cause of death of Lyhanna. However, this information is being kept confidential as part of the investigation secrecy and will be presented during the trial before the assizes court.
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2 alternative perspectives
Man charged in child's death faces new abuse allegations
Man charged with child murder had four prior sexual assault complaints.