Swiss police informed French investigators that the body, found in Champéry, a Swiss town in the canton of Valais about 70 km from Taninges, is likely that of the 45-year-old woman missing since Tuesday.
The Bonneville prosecutor, Boris Duffau, confirmed the body was located “in the vehicle usually used by the mother of the three children.”
An autopsy has been ordered by the Valais canton prosecutor’s office to confirm the precise cause of death, and additional verification is underway to confirm her identity.
The three children, a 13-year-old girl and two boys aged 2 and 11, were found dead in the family home in Taninges, each with fatal stab wounds. An investigation for “intentional homicide” is ongoing to establish the exact details surrounding these tragic events.
Police forces, including divers and a helicopter, combed the surrounding mountains on Tuesday and Wednesday in search of the mother. On Wednesday, police closed access to the chalet where the family lived—a large home with a garden nestled at the foot of the mountains, complete with a barbecue and swings.
In the small hamlet of just 11 residents, neighbours described the children as “cheerful” and often seen riding their bikes. The quiet town of Taninges, with 3,500 inhabitants, has been deeply shaken by the tragedy. A medical-psychological support unit has been set up at the town hall to assist residents.
Mayor Gilles Péguet described the family’s home as an “idyllic setting,” where the couple seemed to feel at home with family members nearby. The mother, a primary school teacher in a nearby village, had recently shown signs of depression, according to neighbours.
In response, the Grenoble education authority, overseeing schools in the area, has sent representatives to the schools where the mother worked, establishing support for both students and staff affected by the tragedy.
