The brother of Jérôme Barella, the main suspect in Lyhanna's death, was taken into custody on Monday at the Auch police station. This information was revealed by BFMTV. He is suspected of raping his ex-partner, who filed a complaint in 2024 for incidents she alleges occurred in 2007 and 2017.
A new procedure concerning the Barella family
The man, born in 1982, is being questioned by investigators in a separate case from the one involving his brother, Jérôme Barella. The complainant, his former partner, alleges events that occurred in the past, dating back to two separate periods ten years apart. His detention is intended to allow investigators to confront the accused with the accusations and verify the details of the complaint.
Lyhanna found dead after six days of searching
This custody hearing is in connection with the case of 11-year-old Lyhanna, who disappeared on May 29 in Fleurance, Gers. Her body was found on June 4 in an abandoned agricultural silo in Puycasquier, about fifteen kilometers from Fleurance. Identification was confirmed by DNA comparison. The exact cause of death remains to be determined, as further examinations have been ordered.
Jérôme Barella indicted and imprisoned
Jérôme Barella, 41, has been formally charged in the investigation into the kidnapping, confinement, and murder of Lyhanna, a minor under the age of 15. He has been remanded in custody. Since his indictment, his criminal record has been subject to increased scrutiny: he is now implicated in at least nine proceedings, including complaints, reports, and disciplinary action.
Complaints that renew the pressure on the justice system
Before Lyhanna's death, several complaints and reports had already targeted Jérôme Barella, notably for acts of sexual violence against minors. Some proceedings had been dismissed, others were still ongoing, and he had not been questioned in at least one of the cases at the time of the girl's disappearance.
70,000 complaints to be reviewed
In response to the shockwaves caused by the case, Gérald Darmanin ordered the public prosecutors to review all complaints involving children, some 70,000 cases, with a deadline of July 14. The Minister of Justice referred to a "terrible failure of state action" and announced that sanctions could be considered if any shortcomings were established.
