Body of Man Missing Since 2009 Discovered in Attic of his French Home
Bizarre/Strange
Wednesday 6th, November 2024
New homeowners in the eastern French village of Erstroff made a grim discovery this week while renovating their attic, the remains of Aloïs Iffly, a previous owner who vanished in 2009. The remains, believed to belong to Iffly, were found in a hidden corner of the attic as the new owners investigated a roof leak, according to the regional prosecutor.
The skeletal remains were uncovered on 2 November 2024, tucked inside a small cubbyhole in the attic, where investigators also found a rope still hanging from the ceiling. Prosecutor Olivier Glady, overseeing the case, noted that the scene "hints at suicide", although a thorough investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of death.
Iffly's disappearance had puzzled the local community for 15 years. Extensive search efforts at the time of his vanishing produced no answers, leaving his fate a mystery. Le Republicain Lorrain, a regional newspaper, reported that Iffly was 81 years old when he disappeared and that his wife continued to live in the house until her death in 2020. Following her passing, the property was put up for sale and purchased by new owners in 2023.
Erstroff, located less than 60 kilometres from the German city of Saarbrücken, is a quiet village that rarely sees such events. The discovery of the remains has revived interest in the case, with local authorities hoping that further investigation will bring clarity. The body has been sent to Strasbourg for an autopsy, which may confirm whether Iffly’s death was indeed a suicide or if other factors were involved.
"This investigation may finally close a chapter that has been open for far too long", said Prosecutor Glady, reflecting on the significance of the case for both Iffly's family and the village of Erstroff.
The skeletal remains were uncovered on 2 November 2024, tucked inside a small cubbyhole in the attic, where investigators also found a rope still hanging from the ceiling. Prosecutor Olivier Glady, overseeing the case, noted that the scene "hints at suicide", although a thorough investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of death.
Iffly's disappearance had puzzled the local community for 15 years. Extensive search efforts at the time of his vanishing produced no answers, leaving his fate a mystery. Le Republicain Lorrain, a regional newspaper, reported that Iffly was 81 years old when he disappeared and that his wife continued to live in the house until her death in 2020. Following her passing, the property was put up for sale and purchased by new owners in 2023.
Erstroff, located less than 60 kilometres from the German city of Saarbrücken, is a quiet village that rarely sees such events. The discovery of the remains has revived interest in the case, with local authorities hoping that further investigation will bring clarity. The body has been sent to Strasbourg for an autopsy, which may confirm whether Iffly’s death was indeed a suicide or if other factors were involved.
"This investigation may finally close a chapter that has been open for far too long", said Prosecutor Glady, reflecting on the significance of the case for both Iffly's family and the village of Erstroff.
