Appeal trial proceeds with new forensic findings and psychiatric evaluations
Jubillar's appeal trial proceeds September 21 with new forensic findings and psychiatric evaluations.
Event / Security
Delphine Jubillar Murder Case
French nurse Delphine Jubillar disappeared in December 2020. Her husband Cédric was convicted in October 2025 and confessed in July 2026 to her murder, providing details about disposing of her remains. A retrial is scheduled for September 2026.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 6 Jul, 07:53 UTC
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What happened
Human remains discovered in Tarn field following Jubillar's confession
On July 17, 2026, human remains including two femurs were discovered in a fallow agricultural field near Mailhoc in the Tarn department, approximately 12 kilometers from Cagnac-les-Mines. Cédric Jubillar led gendarmes to the location where he stated he had buried his wife's body. The field had never been searched in previous investigations. Over 100 gendarmes participated in the excavation, including five canine units specialized in detecting human remains.
Jubillar condemned to 30 years imprisonment in first trial
Cédric Jubillar was previously convicted and condemned to 30 years of criminal imprisonment in October 2025 for the death of his wife. He is scheduled for an appeal trial beginning September 21, 2026, in Toulouse.
Jubillar's new defense team began representing him at beginning of 2026
Cédric Jubillar was represented by new lawyers Pierre Debuisson and Guy Debuisson starting at the beginning of 2026. During a press conference, they stated that their client had a deep psychological need to speak but was "locked psychologically from the start, probably due to media pressure." They characterized the confession as "a long-term effort" rather than spontaneous avowals, and suggested Jubillar wanted to demonstrate another side of himself by liberating his conscience.
Children informed of mother's remains discovery
Louis, 12 years old, and Elyah, 7 years old, the children of Cédric and Delphine Jubillar, were informed on the evening of July 17, 2026, by their aunt (their mother's sister) about the discovery of remains. Their lawyer reported they experienced shock, tears, and incomprehension. Louis expressed anger and no longer refers to his father by that title, using his first name instead. The children have maintained photos of their smiling mother in their bedrooms.
Cédric Jubillar confesses to responsibility for wife's disappearance
Cédric Jubillar, a 38-year-old painter-plasterer, confessed in early July 2026 to being responsible for the disappearance of his wife Delphine Aussaguel. He stated: "I must tell you the truth, it is I who am at the origin of my wife's disappearance." This confession came more than five years after Delphine's disappearance on the night of December 15-16, 2020. Jubillar had previously maintained his innocence and was convicted to 30 years imprisonment in October 2025.
Cédric Jubillar describes killing as involuntary act during marital dispute
During questioning on July 15, 2026, Cédric Jubillar described the circumstances of his wife's death as resulting from an intense marital dispute. He stated there was a triggering element that overwhelmed him with strong emotion, leading to an unthinking act of violence. He characterized the death as occurring after "the last conjugal dispute" and claimed he moved the body "to spare his children the terrible vision of their mother's lifeless body."
Delphine Aussaguel disappeared in December 2020
Delphine Aussaguel, a 33-year-old nurse, disappeared during the night of December 15-16, 2020, in Cagnac-les-Mines in the Tarn region. The couple was in divorce proceedings at the time of her disappearance. She left behind two children, Louis and Elyah, who were 6 and 18 months old respectively at the time.
Local residents express shock at remains discovery in previously unsearched location
Residents of Mailhoc and Cagnac-les-Mines expressed astonishment that human remains had been concealed in a frequently visited agricultural field for nearly six years without detection. The mayor of Mailhoc stated he did not understand how the remains could have stayed on the commune for so long without anyone noticing. Local hunters and hikers reported passing through the area numerous times without suspecting a burial. Many residents expressed relief that the mystery was finally resolved and hope the family can now have a proper funeral.
Remains to undergo forensic analysis at national gendarmerie laboratory
The discovered ossements, including two femurs, are being transported to the Institut de Recherche Criminelle de la Gendarmerie Nationale (IRCGN) laboratory in Pontoise, Val-d'Oise, for analysis. Experts will conduct micro-analyses and micro-sampling to determine the identity of the remains through DNA analysis and to search for evidence of the cause of death, such as signs of strangulation or injuries from sharp or blunt objects.
Body remains dispersed across agricultural land due to soil spreading
The soil containing Delphine Jubillar's buried body was excavated by a farmer and spread across an agricultural field in Mailhoc, which unintentionally dispersed the remains across a large surface area. This complicates forensic recovery efforts as investigators must meticulously search the entire affected parcel to locate bone fragments that may have been scattered during the agricultural operation.
Forensic excavations resume with expanded search area
Approximately 100 gendarmes and investigators resumed large-scale excavations on July 17, 2026, at the site where Delphine Jubillar's remains were discovered. Heavy equipment including a mini-excavator and mobile crane were deployed to conduct methodical searches across a large agricultural parcel. The excavations are expected to last several days as investigators search for additional bone fragments that may have been dispersed across the field.
Cédric Jubillar initially condemned to 30 years in first trial
In October 2025, Cédric Jubillar was convicted of murder and sentenced to 30 years of criminal imprisonment following his trial before the Tarn court of assizes. He had maintained his innocence throughout the highly publicized trial before his confession in July 2026.
Bone fragments identified as likely remains of Delphine Jubillar
Bone fragments, including two femurs, were recovered at a location approximately 12 kilometers from Albi in the Tarn department on July 16, 2026. The bones, belonging to the lower part of a human body, were discovered at the site indicated by Cédric Jubillar during his confession. The remains have been sent to the IRCGN forensic laboratory in Pontoise for analysis to confirm identity.
Appeal trial scheduled for September amid new forensic and psychiatric assessments
Cédric Jubillar's appeal trial is scheduled to begin on September 21, 2026, before the Haute-Garonne court of assizes. However, significant work remains before the trial date, including anatomopathological analysis of recovered remains, a new hearing with the accused to reconcile his confession with medical findings, and new psychological and psychiatric evaluations. His defense team is exploring arguments that would downgrade the charge from murder to involuntary manslaughter, which carries a 20-year sentence rather than life imprisonment.
Cédric Jubillar confesses to killing his wife Delphine and reveals burial location
Cédric Jubillar, a 38-year-old painter, confessed to killing his wife Delphine Jubillar (also known as Delphine Aussaguel) in December 2020 and provided investigators with the location where he buried her body. He described committing an "abominable act" and acknowledged that strong emotional overflow led to an impulsive act of violence. He had previously maintained his innocence for over five years, including throughout his initial trial.
Human remains discovered in Tarn field in Jubillar case
Remains identified as possible human bones were discovered in a field in Mailhoc commune, Tarn, approximately 10 kilometers from the Jubillar family home in Cagnac-les-Mines. The remains, including two femurs, were found buried beneath soil near an abandoned building based on directions provided by Cédric Jubillar. The site had not been searched during six years of prior investigation operations.
Cédric Jubillar admits responsibility for wife's death
Cédric Jubillar's attorney confirmed that his client acknowledges being responsible for the death of his wife and expressed strong regrets. The defense is now arguing that he did not intend to kill his wife, suggesting they will plead manslaughter rather than murder at the scheduled September 21 trial in Toulouse.
Remains to undergo forensic analysis for identification
The discovered bones are being sent to the forensic laboratory of the National Gendarmerie's Criminal Research Institute in Pontoise, Val-d'Oise for analysis. Genetic comparisons will be conducted against reference samples obtained from the victim's family to establish whether the remains belong to Delphine Aussaguel. Analysis may also provide information about the circumstances of her death.
Large-scale search operation deployed in Tarn
Over 100 military personnel were deployed to the search site, including the Toulouse research section, the National Gendarmerie's Criminal Research Institute, five specialized canine teams trained in locating human remains, and a counter-drone unit. Cédric Jubillar, held in isolation at Toulouse-Seysses detention center, was extracted to guide investigators and demonstrated cooperation during questioning.
Appeal trial of Cédric Jubillar scheduled for September 2026
Cédric Jubillar's appeal trial is scheduled to take place on September 21, 2026, at the court of assizes in Haute-Garonne. The trial will review his conviction for the murder of his wife.
Read the coverage
2 alternative perspectives
Bone fragments identified as Delphine Jubillar; forensic search expands
Bone fragments identified as Delphine Jubillar; forensic excavations expand search across dispersed remains.
Remains discovered in field as forensic closure nears in Jubillar case
Remains found in Tarn field undergo forensic analysis following Jubillar's confession to wife's murder.
Human remains discovered in Tarn as forensic identification begins
Remains found in Tarn field await forensic identification following Jubillar's confession to wife's murder.
Jubillar reaffirms confession as search operations begin for remains
Jubillar reaffirms murder confession; search operations underway for wife's remains.
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Jubillar's appeal trial begins September 21 following his 30-year murder conviction.
Jubillar hints at burial site near burned farm ahead of September retrial
Jubillar hints at wife's burial location near burned farm ahead of September 2026 retrial.
Physical evidence and witness accounts shaped investigation into Jubillar case
Evidence from crime scene, witnesses, and prior threats supported Jubillar's murder investigation and conviction.
Jubillar confesses to wife's murder ahead of retrial
Jubillar confesses to wife's 2020 murder ahead of September 2026 retrial after conviction.