Relative ‘admits’ killing family of 4 in gold bars feud
A FAMILY of four who vanished last month have been murdered by a close relative in a feud over inherited gold bars, French police said yesterday.
Officers say the suspect named as Hubert C admitted killing his exwife’s brother Pascal Troadec, 49, his wife Brigitte, 49, and their children Sebastien, 21, and Charlotte, 18.
Advertising executive Mr Troadec’s sister Lydie Troadec has also been detained as a result of the mystery near Nantes, Western France.
Police have not found the victims’ bodies but traces of blood were discovered at the family home and their mobile phones and bank accounts have not been used.
Last night a source close to the inquiry said: “The male suspect has admitted killing the entire family in an argument over inheritance.
“He remains in custody and faces trial for the murders.”
The family from Orvault were last seen on February 16 and Hubert C was questioned but released after claiming he had not seen them for years. Instead, Sebastien fell under suspicion because he had suffered mental health problems and been convicted of making death threats in a blog. But a search of the family property last week revealed bloodstains matching those of the parents.
Blood was also found on Sebastien’s phone, Brigitte’s watch and under the stairs, with evidence that someone had tried to wipe it away.
Hubert C’s DNA is said to have been found on a glass left in a sink and on the son’s car in St Nazaire.
Nantes prosecutor Pierre Sennes said the beds had been stripped, with some sheets drying on an indoor rack, and wet clothes were still in the washing machine.
Monsieur Sennes, who has launched an inquiry into murder, abduction and illegal confinement, said all toothbrushes and hairbrushes had been removed from the house.
“Food was going off in the fridge and there were dishes in the sink,” he said. “It was as if the life of the house had been frozen in time.”
Charlotte’s social security card and trousers were discovered in a forest near Brest, nearly 200 miles from her home.