Death of Émile: the lead favored by investigators

July 8th will mark a grim anniversary: ​​the two-year anniversary of the disappearance of little Émile Soleil, a news story that shocked Haut-Vernet, a hamlet located in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. After months of investigation, the bones of the two-and-a-half-year-old boy were found in March 2024, relaunching the investigation. In March 2025, his grandparents and two of their children were taken into custody for " voluntary homicide " and " concealing a corpse ," before being released without charge. The investigation continues, with the exact cause of death remaining unknown and criminal avenues still being explored.

What these bones and clothes reveal

The investigations carried out on the boy's remains revealed that his clothes and bones had been moved before their discovery by a walker in March 2024. Therefore, investigators believe that the body had not decomposed in the clothes found nearby . This means that it had been handled. Furthermore, marks on the child's skull indicate violent trauma, although it is not yet possible to determine whether this was an accident or a criminal act.

The approach of the denouement?

Meanwhile, the investigation continues. Around twenty investigators from the Marseille research section are still on the lookout for the slightest clue. According to BFMTV , the investigation is now moving towards intentional homicide. On March 19, 2025, investigating judges were officially notified for "murder of a minor under 15 years of age" and "attack on the integrity of a corpse." The wait is long, for everyone, as Isabelle Colombani, lawyer for Emile's grandfather, pointed out. On March 25, she shared: " I dare to hope today that other avenues are being explored and that the outcome is getting closer ."

Internet users' theories about Emile's death

Since the disappearance of little Émile in July 2023, internet users passionate about investigations, called "web sleuths ," have been conducting their own online investigations. On social networks, particularly Facebook, these amateur detectives exchange theories and analyses, often centered on the family sphere. One of the hypotheses concerns a cabin that Émile frequented. Some internet users suggest that the child could have suffered the aforementioned head trauma there, and note that stones present under the cabin disappeared between July 2023 and the following winter. They wonder if these stones were examined by investigators using blood-disclosing products, such as Bluestar. Other theories evoke unexplained elements fueling speculation about a possible cover-up of clues. Some internet users also express doubts about the transparency of the official investigation, believing that certain information might not be disclosed to the public . Despite official progress, these groups remain active, fueling debate and speculation. Although these theories are not confirmed, they illustrate the commitment of some Internet users to understanding the circumstances of Émile's disappearance.