CASE LYHANNA
In July 2025, 13-year-old Lise welcomed her
more than twenty messages from Jérôme Barella, main suspect in Lyhanna’s murder. BFMTV watched the exchange between the girl and the then 40-year-old man. Lise met with the French newspaper at her taekwondo club in Auch. Barella was also at the club between 2023 and 2025.
Last updated: 2:31 PM
Marie
Lisa’s mother, contacted BFMTV to raise the alarm about Jérôme Barella. According to her, he sent disturbing messages to her daughter. Before she went to the editor, Marie had not yet read the messages herself. “Lise just sent them to me because I asked for them. But I haven’t read them yet, so I don’t know what they say to each other,” says Marie.
According to BFMTV, the conversation resembles that between two friends from high school. But this concerns a 40-year-old man and a 13-year-old girl. For example, Barella sent Lise late in the evening: “Are you still not sleeping?”. As soon as Lise wakes up, he asks what she is going to do that day.
WATCH ALSO. Local residents “shocked” after Lyhanna was found
“In other messages, the man tries to comfort the girl, but Lise always says that she is doing well. “I know that you withdraw when things are not going well for you,” he writes. “The last time I had that impression, I heard two days later that you were not in good shape.” Barella then makes Lise a proposal: “If you want to take your mind off things, we’ll go out together.” And you only talk about your worries if you want to, otherwise it becomes ‘non-stop fun’.” Lise refused and said things were going well, but Barella persisted. “Yes, yes, it’s fine, but we’ll definitely have fun,” he sent.
,
mother of Lise
Another protest took place on Monday following Lyhanna’s death.
Another protest took place on Monday following Lyhanna’s death.
Lyhanna was found in a grain silo on June 4.
Lyhanna was found in a grain silo on June 4.
© NLBeeld
Barella is the main suspect in Lyhanna’s murder. On May 29, the 11-year-old girl disappeared. According to French authorities, she got into Barella’s car. Her body was found on June 4 in a grain silo, fifteen kilometers from her hometown.Complaints were already filed against him in 2022 and 2025 for sexual offenses against a minor. The first complaint was dismissed without action and the investigation into the second complaint is still ongoing. Even before the case surrounding Lyhanna’s death came to light, the United States warned France several times about Jérôme Barella’s online behavior.Read more
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