Almost a year after Lina’s disappearance, Strasbourg’s acting public prosecutor, Alexandre Chevrier, gave details of the investigation at a press conference on September 19. The 15-year-old girl, who disappeared on September 23, 2023 in the Bruche Valley (Bas-Rhin), had her DNA found on ropes in the car of the main suspect, Samuel Gonin, who committed suicide in July

This suggests that at some point, Lina was “tied up”, according to the magistrate. He also stated that everything points to Samuel Gonin’s involvement in the case.

Damning DNA evidence

The investigation revealed the presence of Lina’s DNA on ropes found in the trunk of the stolen Ford Puma driven by Samuel Gonin. Traces of contact DNA were also found on the vehicle’s seatbelt and in other places. Lina’s handbag, containing various personal effects, was located in the vehicle’s glove compartment. However, no traces of blood were found in the car. Kitchen knives were also found inside, but no precise explanation was given for their presence. This vehicle had been seized in January in Narbonne after Samuel Gonin refused to obey a traffic control. Two other DNA samples, belonging to a man and a woman, were identified in the car, but they are believed to have come from people Gonin met after Lina’s disappearance.

Samuel Gonin’s involvement increasingly likely

The 43-year-old father of two, Samuel Gonin, was described at length by the public prosecutor. He led a wandering life, consuming drugs, and had committed several offenses, including violent robberies. According to the investigators, he was the driver of the Ford Puma on the day Lina disappeared, close to where she was last seen. Despite some grey areas, the evidence gathered suggests that Gonin acted alone. His suicide in Besançon in July appears to have been a deliberate act, although he left no written note referring to Lina.

Despite the progress of the investigation, certain questions remain unanswered. In particular, the reason for Samuel Gonin’s presence in this remote area of the Bas-Rhin remains unexplained. No direct link with Lina or her relatives has been found, and investigators still don’t understand why Gonin was on this little-traveled secondary road. This part of the investigation is likely to remain unsolved due to the death of the main suspect.

The search for Lina continues

To date, Lina’s body has still not been found, but the authorities are continuing the search. Operations took place in the Grand Est region at the end of July, and others are planned. However, the public prosecutor remained cautious about the chances of finding the young girl alive, pointing out that she has given no sign of life for almost a year.

Although the investigation is progressing, the mystery surrounding Lina’s disappearance persists, leaving her loved ones and the investigators with many uncertainties