Aunt of murdered 11-year-old Lyhanna opens official Leetchi fundraiser to help family with 'new start'
Julie Bodart, the aunt of Lyhanna, launched a crowdfunding campaign on Leetchi to support the girl's parents and brother with administrative procedures after her body was found in the Gers.
Background of the case
Lyhanna, an 11-year-old middle school student, disappeared on 29 May 2026 after leaving her school in Fleurance, in the Gers department of southwestern France. Her parents immediately raised the alarm, and a search was launched. The last CCTV footage showed her getting into the car of Jérôme Barella, a 41-year-old man and father of one of her classmates. Barella was arrested the following day and placed under investigation on 1 June for the kidnapping and sequestration of a minor under 15. On 4 June, after an extensive search, Lyhanna's body was discovered by police in an agricultural silo in Puycasquier, about 15 kilometres from Fleurance.
- Lyhanna disappears after school in Fleurance.
- Jérôme Barella arrested by gendarmes.
- Barella placed under investigation for kidnapping of a minor under 15, remanded in custody.
- Lyhanna's body found in a silo in Puycasquier.
- Aunt Julie Bodart opens official Leetchi fundraiser.
The fundraising campaign
On 14 June, Julie Bodart, Lyhanna's aunt, opened an official donation page on the Leetchi platform. The campaign aims to help the family, including Lyhanna's little brother, with "complicated administrative procedures" and to "accompany them in a new start," as stated in the description. Bodart emphasized that the funds will not be used for legal fees or lawyer costs. The family's lawyer confirmed to BFMTV that he will not be a beneficiary of the donations. After fake fundraisers appeared shortly after the body was identified, this official collection was shared by the parents, Charly and Martial, and other relatives on social media to guarantee its legitimacy.
The loss of their first child is a tragedy. I hope that thanks to your support, these generous donations will help them with their complicated administrative procedures. It is about accompanying them in a new start.
Public response
The campaign quickly drew participation, with messages of solidarity pouring in alongside contributions. According to BFMTV, 25 donors had contributed by 9 a.m. on Monday, 15 June. By midday, that number had risen to around 60, as reported by 20minutes. Ouest France noted 167 participants by the afternoon, and Le Parisien observed more than 200 contributors by late afternoon. The total amount raised has not been disclosed, as the administrator chose to keep it hidden. Messages left on the page include words of condolence such as "Aucun mot ne saurait décrire l'abomination que vous traversez" (No words can describe the abomination you are going through) and offers of courage.
- 9 am
- 25 contributors
- 12 pm
- 60 contributors
- afternoon
- 167 contributors
- late afternoon
- 200 contributors
Legal proceedings against the suspect
Jérôme Barella, a father of three, has been in provisional detention since 1 June. He has been charged with kidnapping and murder of a minor under 15. The investigation also revealed that Barella was already under investigation for other cases involving sexual violence against minors, with multiple reports and complaints filed against him before Lyhanna's disappearance. The case has sparked nationwide emotion and anger, particularly after revelations of prior warnings about the suspect and alleged failures in the justice system.
