THE body of a missing 11-year-old girl has been found in woodland just hours after she vanished on her way home from school.
Located in northern France, Louise Lasalle disappeared around 2pm on Friday after departing André-Maurois middle school in Épinay-sur-Orge, situated in Essonne.
When she failed to return home, her worried parents alerted authorities, while her sister took to social media in a desperate plea for help.
“My little sister Louise Lassalle disappeared at 2pm near Andre Maurois college in Epinay. She went through the Bas Follet trail,” she wrote.
“She had a purple backpack with a butterfly on it and a navy blue coat. She [had] a large white bandage on her chin too.”
Tragically, the search for Louise ended in despair when law enforcement officers uncovered her deceased body in the Parc des Templiers forest area early the following Saturday, a short distance away from her school.
CCTV footage showed the young girl heading toward the park before she disappeared, according to Le Parisien.
A large-scale police operation was launched, involving specialist search dogs, drones, and a helicopter.
Authorities have since arrested a 23-year-old man, reportedly seen on surveillance footage, and his 20-year-old partner.
The pair were taken into custody at their home in Épinay-sur-Orge just before 12.45 am on Saturday — before Louise’s body was found.
The Public prosecutor, Grégoire Dulin, has confirmed the initiation of an investigation into the tragic death of a minor, which is now under the jurisdiction of the Versailles division specializing in organized crime.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
The local authority expressed its condolences, stating: “As soon as [Louise’s] disappearance was reported, all means were deployed to try to find her.”
It comes after a Brit woman who was killed alongside her husband at their holiday home in France is the mother of a former Hollyoaks actor.
Dawn Searle, 56, and her husband Andrew, 62, were found dead on Thursday in the hamlet of Les Pesquiès, near Villefranche-de-Rouergue.
Officials initially believed they were killed in a burglary gone wrong but they have since said their “deaths were clearly a homicide”.
Dawn’s son, Callum Kerr, is best known for playing PC George Kiss in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks between 2020 and 2021.
Callum also starred in Netflix’s Virgin River – playing young Everett, Mel’s father, in the most recent series.
The 30-year-old, who is also a country singer based in Nashville with his fiance, walked his mother down the aisle when she married Andrew in September 2023.
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Disappearance and murder of Louise Lasalle
Friday, February 7, 2025
1.50 pm – Louise Lasalle, 11, leaves André-Maurois middle school in Épinay-sur-Orge, northern France. She is last seen heading towards the Bas Follet trail.
2pm – CCTV footage captures Louise walking in the direction of Parc des Templiers woodlands, located about half a mile from her school.
Afternoon – When Louise fails to return home, her parents become increasingly worried.
Evening – Louise’s family reports her missing to the police. Her sister posts an urgent message on social media, describing Louise’s last-known location and appearance.
Night – Police begin a search for the missing girl. Officers deploy specialist search dogs, drones, and a helicopter to track her down.
Saturday, February 8, 2025
12.45 am – Police arrest a 23-year-old man, reportedly seen on CCTV footage, along with his 20-year-old partner at their home in Épinay-sur-Orge.
Early morning – Louise’s body is discovered in Parc des Templiers woodlands, not far from her school.
Morning – Public prosecutor Grégoire Dulin confirms that “an investigation into the murder of a minor has been opened” and is now in the hands of the Versailles organised and specialised crime division.
Afternoon – Police continue combing the area for evidence while forensic experts begin their work at the crime scene.
Evening – Authorities announce that an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of Louise’s death.
