Burned Evidence Fails to Hide Killer’s Brutal Act

Burned Evidence Fails to Hide Killer’s Brutal Act

The trail of blood in the damp woods near Gray, France, led an officer to a grim discovery in January 2018. It was a body, clearly shot in the head. This discovery was disturbing, especially since another body had been found in the same woods just months earlier. These findings suggested a dark pattern was emerging in the quiet French town.

A Family Gathering Turns to Tragedy

On the evening of October 27th, 2017, 29-year-old Alexia Dval drove to her parents’ home for her nephew’s second birthday. She had been going through a difficult time after a recent miscarriage, making the thought of being around her young nephew hard. Despite her mixed feelings, she arrived, was welcomed by her parents, Isabelle and Jean Pierre, her sister Stephanie, and brother-in-law Gregory. Her husband, Jonathan, an electrician, was running late due to work.

The evening started warmly. Alexia’s fears about seeing her nephew faded when he ran to greet her with a hug. The family enjoyed dinner and conversation. Jonathan arrived around 8:30 p.m., and the group continued their pleasant evening until about 11:00 p.m. Alexia and Jonathan then left for their home, which was about a mile away. Alexia had left her car, as she had been drinking.

A Troubling Encounter and a Growing Fear

On the drive home, Alexia noticed a house near theirs. The neighbor’s adult grandson, Arno, had been harassing her all summer, obsessed and constantly calling and texting. Alexia had felt unsafe even going for a jog alone. The harassment had stopped only because Arno had been committed to a mental hospital a couple of months prior. Alexia didn’t know when he might be released, and the thought lingered in her mind.

Back home, Alexia mentioned a broken treadmill in their garage, realizing her planned morning workout would have to be outdoors in the expected cold and gloomy weather.

Disappearance and a Frantic Search

The next morning, around 11:00 a.m., Jonathan arrived at Alexia’s parents’ house, visibly worried. Alexia had gone for her usual morning jog and hadn’t returned. He hadn’t heard from her, which was highly unusual. Alexia’s family, Stephanie and Gregory, joined Jonathan and Alexia’s mother, Isabelle, who hadn’t heard from her daughter either. Stephanie confirmed Alexia had texted her at 9:30 a.m. saying she was going for a jog, but there was no further contact.

Jonathan was distraught. Gregory offered to accompany Jonathan to search for Alexia. They drove along her usual running routes, checked paths leading into the countryside, and the riverbanks, but found no sign of her. They returned to their home, but Alexia was not there. A visit to the local hospital also yielded no information.

The Investigation Begins

At the Gray Police Station, Officer Adelene Pio interviewed Jonathan. He described Alexia’s running attire: bright pink shoes, black leggings, and a red jacket. Jonathan explained Alexia was happy and not suicidal, though he mentioned her fertility treatments had caused severe hormonal changes, leading to emotional outbursts and memory lapses.

When asked about anyone who might have a problem with Alexia, Jonathan immediately thought of Arno, the neighbor who had harassed her. Arno had been sent to a psychiatric hospital but was no longer there. Police confirmed Arno had been released and visited his mother’s house. Arno admitted to bipolar disorder and acting inappropriately when manic, but claimed he stopped contacting Alexia when she asked him to.

However, this contradicted Jonathan’s account that Alexia had blocked Arno’s number. When asked about his whereabouts that morning, Arno claimed he was home with his mother. His mother corroborated his alibi, but the officer remained skeptical, knowing mothers might lie to protect their children.

A Body Found, a Pattern Confirmed

By Sunday, October 29th, Alexia’s disappearance had become a major news story. Chief Officer Frank Pettis, leading the investigation, faced pressure from the media while organizing extensive search efforts involving drones, dogs, and volunteers. Investigators searched Alexia and Jonathan’s home, finding no clues. Alexia’s family confirmed each other’s alibis for the morning of her disappearance.

Desperate for leads, police set up checkpoints. A crucial tip emerged: rumors of a man driving a white van who harassed women. This worried Pettis, as both Alexia’s father and husband owned white vans.

On Monday, October 30th, about four miles outside of town, Alexia’s body was found in the woods. Pettis arrived at the scene, disappointed to see a news crew already present. Alexia’s feet and the sheet covering her were partially burned, suggesting an attempt to destroy evidence. Bruises on her face and marks on her neck indicated strangulation.

Pettis noted Alexia’s hands were placed in her coat pockets and her glasses were still on her face, suggesting the killer might have felt remorse. He believed the killer likely knew Alexia. A gray plastic cap, possibly from a spray can, was found, potentially explaining the burn marks. Tire tracks in the dirt also raised suspicions about the white van mentioned in the rumors.

During the investigation, a young man was found lurking near the crime scene. He claimed to be picking mushrooms but was arrested. Later, he identified himself as Anthony, 29, and stated he had lied due to embarrassment. He couldn’t join the official search party because he couldn’t read or write but wanted to help. His alibi for the morning of Alexia’s disappearance was confirmed by his girlfriend and a friend. Despite his suspicious behavior, he was released.

A Second Victim, a New Suspect

A week later, on November 5th, a march for Alexia drew 10,000 people. Police monitored Jonathan, who appeared to be a grieving husband with no suspicious activity. Investigators were still waiting for tire analysis and felt the case was stalling.

Then, on January 6th, 2018, a second body was found in the woods near where Alexia was discovered. The victim was a 38-year-old father of three, who appeared to have died from a gunshot wound to the head. His blood alcohol level was extremely high, potentially contributing to his death.

The discovery of this second body, similar in circumstances to Alexia’s death, shifted the investigation’s focus. It suggested the killer was still active and that perhaps the initial leads, including the surveillance of Jonathan, had been a distraction from the true perpetrator. The attempt to burn evidence, while failing to destroy it entirely, hinted at a killer trying to cover their tracks but ultimately leaving crucial clues behind.

Source: Her killer tried to burn the evidence, and failed (YouTube)