Funeral procession in Fleurance: 6,000 people commemorate the young Lyhanna

Fleurance – 07.06.2026: On Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Fleurance, a town in the Gers department, about 6,000 people gathered for a commemorative ceremony in honor of Lyhanna, an 11-year-old student. The event began at 3 p.m. in Place de Verdun, near the Collège Hubert-Reeves, the last known place where the girl was seen.

Lyhanna had gone missing on May 29, 2026, and was found dead on June 4, 2026, in an abandoned agricultural silo in Puycasquier, about 15 kilometers south of Fleurance. The autopsy confirmed the child’s identity, while the exact circumstances of the death are still under investigation.

Lyhanna’s parents organized the commemorative ceremony and attended it personally. They thanked the mayor of Fleurance for his support and also invited the mayors of neighboring municipalities to join the event. However, they emphasized in an official statement that no political presence was welcome.

During the commemoration, participants wore white clothes and held flowers. Many had T-shirts with the inscription “Never Again” and held banners with similar messages. The atmosphere was marked by deep sorrow and solidarity.

Lyhanna’s family spoke movingly during the ceremony. An aunt read a letter from the mother that said: “Our little world has completely collapsed.” Finally, she addressed Lyhanna: “Sorry, Lyhanna. Sorry for what you went through. We love you so much.”

Mayor Grégory Bobbato harshly criticized the judicial system in his speech. He stated: “They want us to believe that this tragedy, which struck Lyhanna’s family, is merely a malfunction in a system that otherwise works.” He added: “For too long we have tolerated a system that suffocates instead of listening, that discourages instead of encouraging.”

In Lyhanna’s case, the main suspect is Jérôme Barella, a 41-year-old family man, previously reported multiple times for sexual abuse of minors. Despite these accusations, he was never heard by the judicial authorities. The ceremony ended with a minute of silence in honor of Lyhanna.

The tragedy not only shook the local community but also sparked outrage at the national level. President Emmanuel Macron called the incident “unacceptable” and emphasized that there are clear responsibilities. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin apologized on behalf of the judiciary to Lyhanna’s family.

The case highlights deficiencies in handling reports of sexual violence against minors and reinforces calls for reforms in the judicial and police system. The broad solidarity shown during the ceremony signals the public’s will to improve child protection and ensure effective criminal action against perpetrators.