Tragic discovery: Lina’s body found

The body of Lina, a teenager who disappeared in September 2023 in the Bas-Rhin region of France, was found submerged in a stream in an isolated wooded area near Nevers on October 16. The girl’s parents, through their lawyers, have expressed their “immense grief” at the tragedy.

The Strasbourg public prosecutor confirmed that Lina’s body had been found in a remote area, “submerged in a stream below an embankment”. Emergency genetic analysis by the French Gendarmerie’s criminal research institute (IRCGN) has enabled the victim to be positively identified.

Investigations surrounding the main suspect

The Ford Puma belonging to Samuel Gonin, the main suspect, aged 43, who was found dead by suicide on July 10 in Besançon, had been geolocated in the area where the teenager’s body was discovered, the day after her disappearance, on September 24. During the investigation, traces of Lina’s DNA and her handbag were found in the vehicle. In addition, ropes, one of which also contained the teenager’s DNA, were discovered in the trunk.

Lina’s tragic discovery was part of a systematic search of all locations where the vehicle had been spotted. The Strasbourg public prosecutor has announced that forensic examinations will be “ordered” to establish the cause of the teenager’s death.

Reactions from relatives

Lina’s parents, through their lawyers, chose not to comment immediately after the discovery of the body. “Their grief is immense”, said Mylène Correia and Matthieu Airoldi in a statement. They expressed the need for time to reflect before receiving the reports of the experts who visited the site of the discovery.

Matthieu Airoldi, the lawyer for Lina’s mother, told H24 MEDIA that his client is “appalled” and added: “Tonight, I have no particular reaction, other than to respect the family’s mourning.”

A look back at the circumstances of the disappearance

Lina disappeared on September 23, 2023, on her way from her home in Plaine (Bas-Rhin) to the Saint-Blaise-la-Roche train station. A massive search operation was deployed that day, including battues, helicopters, drones and dog teams, but efforts to find the young girl proved fruitless. A judicial investigation into the kidnapping and criminal confinement of the girl was opened on October 1, 2023, marking the start of a complex investigation into this tragic case.