Man faces murder charges

A 35-year-old man, who is the father of a family, appeared before the instruction chamber of Nîmes with a bag full of clothes. He is under investigation for the murder of his wife and his 10-year-old daughter.

Legal battle over his freedom

The prosecution is requesting his incarceration, while an investigating judge from Avignon has decided to allow him to remain free. The judge of liberty and detention from the court of the city of the Popes, requested by the prosecution, confirmed the freedom for this father of a family.

Prosecution highlights evidence

However, the general prosecution of Nîmes considers "that serious and consistent evidence are present in the proceedings and have justified his formal investigation," states the deputy prosecutor Aurélie Reymond. "This beginning of investigation is complex and it is important to prioritize safety measures," continues the representative of the general prosecution.

Defense questions the charges

"We do not even know at this moment when I am speaking to you whether it is a criminal fire, accidental or, for example, an electrical problem," argues for the father of the family, lawyer Olivier Collion. "Worse, there is no element in the proceedings that suggests it is a criminal fire."

Fire incident details emerge

In fact, the Vaucluse firefighters were called on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 7:30 am on the commune of Carpentras, for a house fire, a house that was on fire above a bar. "On site, care was being provided to a 10-year-old child. The intervention of the firefighters allowed the extraction from the house of a 5-year-old boy and a 35-year-old woman. The latter and the two children were immediately transported to the hospitals of the area with a critical prognosis. The husband and father of the children, aged 35, was found outside the house, slightly intoxicated by the smoke," stated after the incident the deputy prosecutor of Avignon.

Victims' deaths confirmed

The death of the girl was confirmed this Thursday, October 15, 2026 in connection with an intoxication due to the smoke. The mother of the family was also declared dead on the same day. In addition, although the condition of the young boy was still considered worrying, his vital prognosis was no longer critical, added at the same time the prosecution of Avignon.

Father’s actions during the fire

The father of the family was in the apartment during the incident and when he noticed the fire, he thought his loved ones had managed to get out. When he noticed that his wife and daughter were not there, he went back into the burning apartment. "We will pull him by the feet to get him out before the ceiling collapses," said in front of the court of appeal of Nîmes this Wednesday, October 28, lawyer Olivier Collion for the person under investigation.

Court to decide his fate

The instruction chamber of Nîmes will decide tomorrow, Thursday, whether it will grant the incarceration requested by the prosecution or if the father of the family remains free.