Domestic violence history emerges in missing farmer investigation
Victim sought domestic violence support; suspect has prior conviction for such violence.
Event / Security
Manon Relandeau Disappearance Investigation
French farmer Manon Relandeau and her 15-month-old daughter Inaya disappeared on March 27, 2026. Her partner fled to Algeria with the child on April 2. Two individuals were charged with conspiracy and obstruction of justice on April 22-23. The partner was arrested in Algeria on April 27 with the daughter recovered. French authorities opened a murder investigation on April 28.
6 reported locations
Daily activity
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 28 Apr, 09:07 UTC
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What happened
Interpol red notice issued against suspect
An Interpol red notice was issued against the 41-year-old suspect in connection with the disappearance and presumed murder of Manon Relandeau. This international alert enabled Algerian law enforcement to locate and arrest the suspect in Algeria on April 26-27, 2025.
Suspect previously convicted of domestic violence in 2019
The suspect was previously convicted in 2019 at Nantes for domestic violence against a former partner. This prior conviction demonstrates a pattern of violent behavior toward intimate partners. The conviction was issued with a suspended sentence.
Suspect claims victim is alive in TikTok livestream
In a live TikTok broadcast on April 25-26, 2025, approximately one hour before his arrest, the suspect claimed that Manon Relandeau was alive and that his departure to Algeria was pre-planned. He asserted he had spoken to Relandeau by telephone on April 2 after arriving in Algeria. However, his statements became increasingly incoherent, suggesting Relandeau was hiding unspecified secrets. He refused to return to France, citing fear of being suspected as the primary suspect and concerns that his daughter would be placed in state care.
Algerian suspect arrested in disappearance of French woman Manon Relandeau
A 41-year-old Algerian man, the primary suspect in the disappearance of Manon Relandeau, a 31-year-old French agricultural worker, was arrested in Algeria on April 26-27, 2025. He was taken into custody following an Interpol red notice issued against him. The suspect's 15-month-old daughter, Inaya, was with him at the time of his arrest. Relandeau disappeared on March 27, 2025 near Nantes in Loire-Atlantique, France.
Investigation opened for murder and kidnapping in Relandeau case
The public prosecutor's office in Nantes opened an investigation into the disappearance of Manon Relandeau for crimes of murder and kidnapping. The suspect is believed to be responsible for the woman's presumed death. Two additional individuals were also placed under investigation on April 22-23 for charges of criminal conspiracy to prepare a crime and modification of a crime scene. These individuals were placed in provisional detention.
France cannot automatically extradite Algerian national under 2021 convention
France and Algeria signed an extradition convention in 2021 that replaced an obsolete 1964 agreement. Article 3 of the 2021 convention explicitly states that extradition is not granted if the requested person holds the nationality of the requested state. Since the suspect holds Algerian nationality, Algeria is not obligated to extradite him to France. If Algeria refuses extradition, it must submit the matter to its own competent authorities for prosecution under Algerian law, facilitated by France providing official denunciation and supporting case files.
Suspect departed for Algeria with daughter before arrest
The suspect boarded an airplane on April 2, 2025, to Algeria with his 15-month-old daughter Inaya. His departure occurred approximately six days after Relandeau's disappearance on March 27. This precipitous flight with the child heightened suspicions and prompted the issuance of an Interpol red notice against him.
Two additional suspects charged with obstruction and conspiracy
A 26-year-old woman employed as a housekeeper and a 42-year-old man were placed under investigation and examination for charges of criminal conspiracy to prepare a crime and modification of a crime scene. The 42-year-old is suspected of driving the primary suspect and his daughter to the airport and possessed keys to the farm where Relandeau lived.
15-month-old daughter's legal status and custody rights uncertain under Algerian law
The 15-month-old daughter, Inaya, holds French nationality but Algeria recognizes her as an Algerian citizen under its domestic law. Under Algerian family law, custody of a minor defaults to the maternal grandmother if the mother is deceased or unavailable and the grandmother is present in the country. If the maternal grandmother is unavailable, custody passes to the paternal grandmother. France and Algeria signed a convention in the 1990s regarding child custody, but the application of Algerian law to a child considered Algerian by Algeria may prevent the child's return to France even if French courts award custody to Relandeau's sister.
Victim contacted domestic violence support organization before disappearance
Manon Relandeau contacted Citad'elles, an association providing assistance to women victims of domestic violence, in the days before her disappearance. She scheduled an appointment for April 3, 2025, which she did not attend. This appointment date coincided with when a neighbor reported her disappearance to gendarmes, expressing concern about not seeing the young mother and her baby.
Large-scale search operation launched for missing French woman
More than 100 gendarmes and canine units were mobilized to search for Manon Relandeau around her home and near the farm she operated in Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc. The search was later supplemented with two drones and investigators from the French National Criminal Investigation Research Institute (IRCGN). The search area is described as marshy terrain that is rarely traversed. Search efforts continued as of April 29, 2025.
Two individuals charged with obstruction in connection with Manon Relandeau case
Two individuals were charged on April 22-23, 2026, with conspiracy in preparation of a crime and tampering with crime scene evidence. Both were placed in provisional detention.
Manon Relandeau's partner arrested in Algeria
The 41-year-old partner of Manon Relandeau was apprehended in Algeria on April 27, 2026. His 15-month-old daughter Inaya was found with him. He is being referred to local Algerian authorities for prosecution.
Manon Relandeau, 31-year-old farmer, reported missing from Loire-Atlantique
Manon Relandeau, a 31-year-old cattle farmer from Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc in Loire-Atlantique, was reported missing on March 27, 2026. Her 15-month-old daughter, Inaya, also disappeared at the same time. Her relatives reported her disappearance on April 3, 2026.
Manon Relandeau's partner flees to Algeria with their daughter
The 41-year-old partner of Manon Relandeau boarded a flight to Algeria on April 2, 2026, with their 15-month-old daughter Inaya. The departure occurred several days after Manon Relandeau's disappearance.
Murder investigation opened in Manon Relandeau disappearance
The Nantes prosecutor's office opened a criminal investigation into the disappearance of Manon Relandeau on charges of murder and kidnapping. Criminal charges focus on the possibility of homicide in connection with the missing woman.
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2 alternative perspectives
Conspiracy charges escalate Relandeau investigation beyond primary suspect
Conspiracy charges filed against two additional suspects in Relandeau case, broadening investigation scope.
Arrested suspect's extradition from Algeria faces legal obstacles
Extradition of arrested Algerian suspect blocked by treaty restrictions limiting France's ability to prosecute.
Murder investigation opened after Loire-Atlantique farmer goes missing
Murder investigation opened after Loire-Atlantique farmer Manon Relandeau disappears; partner arrested in Algeria.