French prosecutors have charged a neighbor with the murder of an elderly Belgian couple, committed four months ago in their summer home in the Landes region in southwestern France. A 33-year-old man, who was the victims' neighbor, was detained and brought before an investigating judge on charges of "murder." The crime occurred in November of last year in the small town of Saint-Martin-d'Oney. The bodies of a 70-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were found with multiple stab wounds, and the investigation from the outset pointed to a robbery motive.

Neighbor charged with murder

A 33-year-old man, neighbor of the Belgian retirees, has been indicted by a French investigating judge on charges of double murder. The arrest and indictment came after four months of intensive investigation.

Victims were Belgian retirees

The victims were a 70-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman, Belgian citizens, who owned a summer home in the town of Saint-Martin-d'Oney in the Landes region. The couple regularly visited for vacations.

Circumstances of the crime and motive

The couple's bodies were found in their home with multiple stab wounds in November 2025. The investigation focused from the beginning on a robbery motive, although it was not disclosed what specific items were stolen.

Investigation progress

The investigation was led by the French National Gendarmerie, and a key moment was the arrest of the suspect neighbor. The Mont-de-Marsan prosecution does not rule out that other persons may still be involved in the case.

Four months after the gruesome discovery, the French investigation into the murder of a Belgian retired couple in the Landes region has entered a decisive phase. A 33-year-old man, the victims' neighbor, has been formally indicted by an investigating judge on charges of "murder." The crime occurred in November 2025 in the small, quiet town of Saint-Martin-d'Oney, where a 70-year-old man and his 68-year-old wife, Belgian citizens, owned a summer home. Their bodies were found with multiple stab wounds, immediately indicating the brutal nature of the crime. The investigation focused from the beginning on a robbery motive. Residents of this quiet, forested area were shocked, and local media emphasized that such events are extremely rare there. The French National Gendarmerie, leading the inquiry, after analyzing evidence and testimonies, directed its actions towards the victims' immediate neighborhood. The detention of the 33-year-old man and his subsequent appearance before an investigating judge from Mont-de-Marsan is the culmination of these months of work. The prosecution, represented by Prosecutor General Olivier Jannos, announced the charges in an official statement but did not release the suspect's personal details to the public, which is standard practice in the French justice system at this stage of proceedings. The Landes region, known mainly for Europe's largest pine forest and its surfing coast, is a popular summer vacation spot, also for foreign tourists and second-home owners. Belgians constitute a significant portion of such owners in southern France. The French legal system provides that a person "mise en examen" (formally indicted) becomes a suspect in an investigation led by an investigating judge, which is a more serious stage than a simple police detention.Prosecutor Jannos stated in his announcement that the investigation is ongoing and does not rule out that other persons may be involved in the case. Details regarding the direct evidence that led to the neighbor's indictment, or whether the murder weapon was found, were not disclosed. The victims' family, who are likely from Belgium, has been informed of the progress in the investigation. The case, though local, has resonated widely in French media due to the brutality of the act, the age of the victims, and the fact that they were foreigners. Authorities assure that they will make every effort to clarify all circumstances of this tragedy and ensure justice.

Mentioned People

  • Olivier Jannos — Prosecutor General from Mont-de-Marsan, who announced the indictment in the case.