Grandparents questioned as DNA evidence expands investigation
DNA collection and grandparent questioning represent new progress in Émile Soleil's three-year investigation.
Event / Security
Émile Soleil Missing Child Case
A 78-year-old retired man was convicted of deliberately setting fires at the vacation home of the grandparents of Émile Soleil, a toddler who disappeared three years earlier. The convict admitted his motivation was to restart the stalled missing child investigation.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 8 Jul, 10:53 UTC
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What happened
Court imposes contact restrictions on arson convict
As part of his conviction, Roland Woudstra is prohibited from contacting Philippe and Anne Vedovini for three years and is forbidden from entering Le Vernet for five years.
Arson suspect admits act motivated by desire to restart missing child investigation
Roland Woudstra stated in court that he deliberately set the fire as an attempt to draw attention to and restart the investigation into the disappearance of Émile Soleil. In a letter written to associates, he described having a 'brutal desire to do justice himself' by burning the Vedovini vacation home. He claimed the act was impulsive and intended to trigger a 'breakthrough' in the investigation.
Arson suspect initially blamed fabricated twin brother for fire
After his arrest, Roland Woudstra initially claimed that his twin brother 'Raoul' was responsible for setting the fires. He later admitted during trial that he invented this story because he was afraid of prison, describing it as a fabricated account born from fear.
Vedovini grandparents placed in custody for questioning in 2025
In 2025, the grandparents of Émile Soleil and two of their adult children were placed in police custody for questioning regarding 'voluntary homicide' and 'concealment of a corpse'. They were released after 48 hours as authorities determined there were insufficient charges to proceed with prosecution.
DNA samples collected from residents near missing child location
In early 2026, investigators collected 106 DNA samples from persons living near the hamlet where Émile Soleil disappeared, as part of the ongoing investigation.
Vedovini grandparents subjected to harassment following investigation
Philippe Vedovini reported receiving approximately 60 formal complaints since his release from custody, including around 15 named threats posted on social media and approximately 50 anonymous letters with various threats originating from across France. The family stated they live in fear and stress due to media exposure following the investigation.
Émile Soleil disappeared three years before arson conviction
Émile Soleil, aged two and a half years, disappeared approximately three years before the July 2026 arson conviction. He went missing from his grandparents' house in Haut-Vernet the day after arriving for a vacation stay.
Roland Woudstra convicted of deliberately setting fire to Vedovini residence
Roland Woudstra, a 78-year-old retiree, was found guilty on July 7, 2026, of intentionally setting multiple fires around the secondary residence of Anne and Philippe Vedovini at Le Vernet during the night of May 15-16, 2026. He was sentenced to two years in prison with detention maintained and is prohibited from entering Le Vernet for five years.
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Man convicted of arson admits fire was to restart investigation
Woudstra convicted of arson; admitted fire aimed to restart missing child case.