A man claiming to be "Father Marc" appeared live on M6 last night during a program dedicated to the Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès case. This man stated that he met Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès in 2022 in the Aude region. According to his testimony, the suspected fugitive stayed for four days in a monastery. He then allegedly asked to confess and admitted to the murders of his wife and four children.
The testimony was immediately presented as a potentially crucial element in one of France's most closely watched criminal cases. Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès has remained at large since 2011, after the bodies of his wife and children were discovered in Nantes.
The Bishop of Carcassonne says he does not know who this man is
This morning, Bruno Valentin, Bishop of the Diocese of Carcassonne and Narbonne, responded to this testimony. He stated that he did not know the identity of the man who appeared on M6 under the name "Father Marc." The bishop indicated that he had never heard of this account. He also specified that this man did not remind him of any priest known to him in the diocese.
This statement significantly undermines the testimony broadcast the previous day, which was presented as unprecedented and potentially decisive. At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest that the man who spoke on air is indeed a priest, nor that he actually met Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès.
M6 accused of not having checked with the diocese
Bruno Valentin also criticizes M6 for not contacting him before the broadcast of this testimony.
According to him, the channel should have verified the identity of the man presenting himself as a priest, particularly with the relevant diocese. The bishop believes this step would have allowed them to quickly confirm or deny the existence of a religious figure matching that profile.
A statement with far-reaching consequences
The content of the testimony is particularly sensitive. The man claims that Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès confessed to the murders of his wife and four children.
Such a statement, if confirmed, would constitute a significant element in the investigation. But for now, it rests solely on the words of a man whose identity and status as a priest are disputed.
An investigation that remains open, a fugitive still at large
Since the discovery of the Dupont de Ligonnès family bodies in April 2011, investigators have continued their search. Reports have multiplied over the years, both in France and abroad, without leading to the identification of the main suspect. The testimony broadcast on M6 has abruptly reignited attention to the case. However, the reaction of the Bishop of Carcassonne casts doubt on his credibility, as well as on the credibility of M6 itself, which seems to have displayed a surprising lack of professionalism in its attempts to generate publicity.
