Cold Case Solved: Brother Confesses to 2021 Murder
Libourne, France – A breakthrough has been made in the cold case of Mathieu M., a 37-year-old resident of Caplong who disappeared with his dog and car in 2021. Four years later, the mystery is close to being unraveled.
On February 13, 2023, Mathieu’s 44-year-old brother, a local farmer, was charged with murder, alteration of a crime scene, and placed in detention.
Discordant Family Ties
According to Renaud Gaudel, the prosecutor of Bordeaux, the brother confessed to the crime after admitting to a heated argument with Mathieu over a trivial matter on their family property.
"The tension escalated, and the perpetrator retrieved a shotgun, loading it with two cartridges, and fired at his brother, killing him instantly," Gaudel explained.
The suspect also shot and killed his brother’s dog with a rifle. To conceal the crime, he set fire to Mathieu’s vehicle with his body inside and hid the car in a scrapyard.
Uncovering the Truth
The brother initially reported Mathieu’s disappearance to the police in 2021. However, the investigation yielded no results for two years. Bordeaux-Bouliac investigators initially pursued a lead involving a romantic rivalry in 2023 but later shifted their focus to the family connection.
Their efforts paid off when the suspect confessed the murder to his 67-year-old aunt, who subsequently hid the two firearms used in the crime at her residence.
Arrests and Charges
"The aunt of the victim was also apprehended and charged with failure to report a crime and altering the crime scene to obstruct the investigation," Gaudel said. "She was released under judicial supervision."
Seeking Closure
The resolution of the cold case brings a glimmer of hope to Mathieu’s family, who have been devastated by his loss. The arrest and confession of his brother have provided them with some closure, although the full extent of their pain and loss will likely never fully heal.
The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the complete details of the incident and establish any further involvement or accomplices. As the case unfolds, the community of Caplong and the wider region come to terms with the shocking revelation that a member of their own has committed such a heinous act.
