The mystery surrounding the tragic death of two-year-old Émile Soleil in the French Alps has taken another twist.
After 72 hours in police custody, the toddler’s grandparents, Philippe and Anne Vedovini, have been released without charge.
The couple, both 59, had been under intense questioning about the child’s disappearance and alleged murder.
Their release early Thursday morning only deepens the uncertainty surrounding the case.
A Heartbreaking Disappearance in the Alps
Émile Soleil went missing in July 2023 while staying at his grandparents’ secluded holiday home in Haut-Vernet, a small Alpine village south of Grenoble.
His disappearance sparked an extensive search that lasted months.
Tragically, his remains, including a fractured skull, were discovered nearby in March 2024.
Earlier this week, authorities arrested the Vedovinis along with two of their adult children—identified as Émile’s aunt and uncle.
Prosecutors had brought forward charges of “intentional homicide” and “concealing a corpse,” but after three days of questioning, all four were set free from a secure gendarmerie in Marseille.
The Priest’s Mysterious Death Adds to the Intrigue
As if the case weren’t already shrouded in mystery, reports have surfaced that the priest who baptized Émile, Father Claude Gilliot, recently died under puzzling circumstances.
The 85-year-old priest was found dead from an apparent overdose in his home in Aix-en-Provence.
French media reports suggest he had fallen out with the Vedovini family before his passing, adding another layer of intrigue to an already perplexing case.
Father Gilliot had once been very close to Émile’s grandparents and two of their ten adult children.
He had provided spiritual guidance to the devoutly Catholic family, celebrating Mass and hearing their confessions.
However, their relationship soured after he shared a photo of Émile with the media in a desperate attempt to aid the search.
This led to a very public feud, including exchanged insults and the family ultimately boycotting the chapel where he officiated.
Legal Representatives Speak Out
Following their release, the Vedovinis’ legal team expressed relief, insisting their clients had nothing to hide.
“After 17 hours of questioning, their custody has been lifted,” said Philippe Vedovini’s lawyer, Isabelle Colombani.
“It’s a relief for them and for us as their legal representatives.
We were always confident that we could explain everything.
There may have been some gray areas to clarify, but nothing beyond that.”
Julien Pinelli, Anne Vedovini’s defense lawyer, echoed this sentiment.
“My client is walking away free, and naturally, this is a huge relief.
She endured the questioning willingly because she saw it as her way of contributing to the investigation,” he stated.
Ongoing Investigations and Wiretaps
Despite their release, authorities have made it clear that the investigation is far from over.
The police had been monitoring the Vedovini family for months, using wiretaps to listen in on conversations between family members.
The arrest followed a lengthy period of surveillance and inquiries into their personal lives.
At the time of Émile’s disappearance, Philippe Vedovini admitted to a brief “fifteen minutes of inattention.”
A witness also reported seeing him chopping wood outside his home around the time the toddler supposedly wandered off.
This timeline continues to raise questions as authorities attempt to piece together the events leading to Émile’s death.
A Troubling Past Surfaces
Adding further complexity to the case, it has come to light that Philippe Vedovini is also under investigation for an unrelated incident.
Allegations have resurfaced regarding potential involvement in sexual abuse at a Catholic boarding school in Northern France during the 1990s.
At the time, he was training to become a monk and was known as “Brother Philippe.”
He has firmly denied any wrongdoing and left religious life to marry Anne Vedovini, with whom he raised ten children.
Where Are Émile’s Parents?
Despite the ongoing murder investigation, Émile’s parents—Marie Soleil and Colomban Soleil—have not been arrested or formally charged.
Marie, the couple’s daughter, is now known by her married name, while Colomban, 27, remains publicly silent about the case.
Whether further arrests will follow remains unknown.
Unanswered Questions
With the Vedovinis’ release, the investigation enters yet another uncertain phase.
Police still have the authority to take them back into custody if new evidence emerges.
Meanwhile, the family, the authorities, and the public continue searching for the truth behind Émile Soleil’s heartbreaking disappearance.
For those struggling with distressing news, support is available through organizations such as Samaritans, which can be contacted anonymously at 116 123 or online at samaritans.org.