Safety · Fleurance
Funeral of 11-year-old Lyhanna brings Fleurance to a standstill as France confronts its failure to stop a known sex offender
Around 200 mourners gathered in Fleurance on Friday for the public funeral of Lyhanna, an 11-year-old girl whose murder has ignited a national reckoning over the handling of sexual violence complaints against minors.
AI text based on reports by Le Figaro.fr, RTBF, Courrier international and other publishers. Published . How it is made
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In brief
A public ceremony took place at Fleurance cemetery on 12 June, with around 200 attendees, followed by a private burial.
Jérôme Barella, charged with kidnapping, was the subject of seven earlier reports of sexual violence that were ignored by authorities.
Prime Minister Lecornu announced a new law against sexual violence; Justice Minister Darmanin ordered a review of 70,000 pending minor abuse cases.
A week before the funeral, a march in Fleurance attracted a crowd equal to the town's population, reflecting widespread outrage.
Swiss, German and Austrian outlets criticized France for failing to act on repeated warnings about the suspect and for incomplete child protection reforms.
- 29 MayLyhanna last seen near her school, getting into suspect Jérôme Barella's car.
- 4 JunLyhanna's body found in a grain silo in Fleurance.
- 7 JunA white march draws around 6,000 participants in Fleurance.
- 12 JunFuneral ceremony held at Fleurance cemetery; public service followed by private burial.
The funeral ceremony
Around 200 people attended the public part of the service at the Fleurance cemetery on Friday afternoon. The mayor, Grégory Bobbato, opened the tributes.
“We are not saying goodbye to a symbol, a struggle, but to a child of 11 and a half: Lyhanna.”
A ceremony mistress, speaking on behalf of the family, described Lyhanna as having a "luminous, gentle and benevolent soul" and recalled her "disarming frankness that made people smile". The family then released white balloons and five doves. The burial itself took place in private, at the family's request, away from cameras after days of intense media coverage.
The disappearance and discovery
Lyhanna was last seen on 29 May near the Collège Hubert-Reeves, where she was filmed getting into the car of the main suspect, Jérôme Barella. Her body was found on 4 June in a grain silo in Fleurance, a commune of 6,000 inhabitants in the Gers. Barella was charged with kidnapping and sequestration and is held at the Mont-de-Marsan prison.
A justice system under fire
Barella had been the subject of seven prior reports of sexual violence, none of which led to any action. That failure has drawn sharp condemnation abroad.
“Seven reports of sexual violence, with no repercussions.”
Swiss daily Le Temps called Lyhanna "the standard-bearer for all the victims the French state does not listen to". The case has drawn comparisons to the Dutroux affair in Belgium.
Government response
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a "global law against sexual and sexist violence". Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin apologised to the family and ordered prosecutors to review 70,000 pending complaints of rape and sexual assault on minors by 14 July. In 2021, President Emmanuel Macron had promised victims they would "never again be alone", yet only around half of the 82 recommendations of the independent commission on incest and child sexual violence (Ciivise) have led to parliamentary work, according to Die Zeit.
A community in mourning
On Sunday, 7 June, a white march drew roughly 6,000 people, equal to the town's entire population. Many wore T-shirts bearing Lyhanna's image. Local journalist Clotilde Jupon said the story dominated conversations in cafés, supermarkets and on television.
“A lesson in the face of their absolute dignity when confronting the worst: losing a child.”
The mayor praised the parents, Charly and Martial, for their dignity and for constantly bringing everyone back to what is essential.
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Sources and context
- Le Figaro.fr"On ne pourra jamais oublier" : encore sous le choc, Fleurance rend un dernier hommage à la jeune Lyhanna
- RTBFFrance : plusieurs centaines de personnes aux obsèques de la petite Lyhanna - RTBF Actus
- Courrier internationalAprès l'affaire Lyhanna, "combien de pédocriminels circulent encore librement ?
- Franceinfo"Nous ne disons pas au revoir à un symbole, une lutte, mais à une enfant de 11 ans et demi", déclare le maire de Fleurance aux obsèques de Lyhanna
- Lyhanna
- 11-year-old girl whose murder in Fleurance has sparked national outrage and a review of justice failures.
- Grégory Bobbato
- Mayor of Fleurance who delivered a eulogy at Lyhanna's funeral.
- Jérôme Barella
- Main suspect in Lyhanna's kidnapping and murder, previously reported for sexual violence.
- Sébastien Lecornu
- Prime Minister of France, announced a global law against sexual and sexist violence.
- Gérald Darmanin
- French Justice Minister who apologised to Lyhanna's family and ordered review of 70,000 abuse complaints.
- Emmanuel Macron
- President of France, had promised in 2021 that victims of childhood sexual violence would 'never be alone again'.
- Charly
- Parent of Lyhanna, praised by the mayor for dignity during the funeral.
- Martial
- Parent of Lyhanna, named by the mayor alongside Charly.
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