The trial of Jean-Baptiste M., accused of the rape and murder of 10-year-old Loana, concluded on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Charleville-Mézières, Ardennes. The crime occurred in Sedan in October 2023 and was tried in the neighboring town. Jean-Baptiste M., now 60 years old, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, including 20 years of safety, which means he will not be eligible for release for that time. The public prosecutor had requested a life sentence, but the court’s decision was still considered severe given the nature of the crime. The trial was emotionally difficult for Loana’s family, who had to relive the details of the tragedy over three years. The court of assizes found Jean-Baptiste M. guilty after a two-hour deliberation. He admitted to the rape of Loana, which included acts committed after her death, and her violent murder as she tried to escape. The jury needed to understand the full extent of the suffering to deliver a verdict, and the family needed time to grieve. Public prosecutor Marlène Borde had asked for a life sentence without the possibility of parole, which would have meant Jean-Baptiste M. would not be eligible for release for at least 30 years, making him nearly 90 years old. This request was based on the brutal nature of the crime, the accused’s contradictory statements, and his attempts to hide the body and clean up the crime scene before continuing with his daily life. On the morning of the crime, October 17, 2023, Loana had bought candy and participated in a cross country race at her college. Experts described Jean-Baptiste M. as impulsive, immature, and psychologically neglected, with traits of narcissism and clinical borderline personality disorder. His childhood was marked by violence and instability, growing up in a family of 12 children with a violent father and an alcoholic mother. He lived in a caravan with a traveling community and had minimal schooling, leading to illiteracy. Loana’s body was discovered in the basement of a building in the city center, which housed a disused bar and an apartment where Jean-Baptiste M. lived. A neighbor who had seen him with Loana was arrested after she was found dead. He initially admitted to the rape but claimed her death was accidental. The crime scene was described as horrific, with a trail of blood, hair ribbons, and beads from Loana’s necklace leading from the kitchen to the basement, where her body was placed on pallets surrounded by bloodstained sheets. The court heard about his chaotic life, including his upbringing in a violent environment and lack of formal education. Jean-Baptiste M. did not make a final statement, and the jury delivered its verdict at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, bringing an end to a long and painful legal process for Loana’s family.