Vigil in Fullrance: 6,000 People Remember the Late Rianna

Furans – June 7, 2026: On Sunday, June 7, 2026, a memorial gathering for 11-year-old student Rhianna was held in the city of Furans in the Gironde department, bringing together about 6,000 people. This memorial ceremony started at 3 p.m. in Verdansk Square, near Hubert-Liev School, the last place where the girl was seen.

Rhianna went missing on May 29, 2026, and on June 4, her body was found in an abandoned agricultural silo in Puicasquie, about 15 kilometers south of Furans. An autopsy confirmed the identity of the child, but the exact cause of death is still under investigation.

Rhianna’s parents initiated the memorial gathering and participated directly. They expressed gratitude for the support of the mayor of Furans and invited mayors of surrounding municipalities to participate as well but emphasized in their official statement that they did not want any political involvement.

During the memorial, participants wore white clothes and held flowers. Many people wore T-shirts with “Never again (Plus jamais ça)” written on them and carried banners with similar messages. The atmosphere at the venue was filled with deep sorrow and solidarity.

Rhianna’s family delivered touching words at the ceremony. An aunt read a letter written by the mother that said, “Our little world has completely collapsed.” At the end, she spoke to Rhianna: “I’m sorry, Rhianna. I am sorry for what you experienced. We love you very much.”

Mayor Grégory Bobat harshly criticized the judicial system in his statement. He said, “They try to make us believe that this tragedy that struck Rhianna’s family was just a malfunction in a system that was supposed to function properly.” He added, “For a long time, we have tolerated a system that refuses to listen and represses rather than encourages.”

The main suspect in Rhianna’s case is Jérôme Barella, a 41-year-old father who has been repeatedly accused of sexual assault against minors. Nonetheless, despite these accusations, the investigation authorities have never interrogated him. The memorial gathering ended with a moment of silence in memory of Rhianna.

This tragedy shocked not only the local community but also the entire country. President Emmanuel Macron called the incident “unacceptable” and highlighted the inadequate response. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin apologized to Rhianna’s family on behalf of the judiciary.

The case has exposed the lack of response to signs of sexual violence against minors and strengthened demands for judicial and police system reform. The solidarity expressed at the memorial represents the public’s desire for better protection of children and strict enforcement of the law against perpetrators.