Toulon: Five family members under judicial investigation in case of two missing soldiers

Toulon – 02.07.2026: The judiciary in Toulon is investigating five members of a family over the disappearance of two young soldiers from France’s overseas territories. Three suspects are under judicial investigation for murder; others are facing proceedings for organized human trafficking, deprivation of liberty and serious violence. The decisions were made after several interrogations and searches at the end of May, regional media outlets report.

According to reports, the missing persons are a soldier from New Caledonia and another with roots in French Polynesia. They were last seen in 2022 and 2023 respectively in the Var department. Relatives reported them missing after no signs of life had been received for an extended period. In a record, a close relative of the family is quoted as saying the men were “eliminiert”. There has been no official confirmation of this statement so far.

Investigators from the gendarmerie are examining whether the suspects deliberately made contact with young military personnel from the Pacific region, isolated them in premises used as accommodation and exploited them violently. Several alleged victims report, according to the media, beatings, seizure of personal documents, confinement and thefts. Authorities are looking into whether a structured system of exploitation existed and whether financial motives were predominant.

In a side strand of the investigations, remains were discovered in the Bouches-du-Rhône that, according to reporting, could be linked to one of the missing men. A definitive identification has not been made. The Toulon public prosecutor’s office refers to ongoing forensic examinations and for tactical reasons is not providing detailed information about the evidence.

Several cases have since been merged. The accused are presumed innocent; defense lawyers emphasize their clients’ right to remain silent. At the same time, the public prosecutor has ordered further witness interviews and expert reports. Relatives in New Caledonia and Polynesia are demanding clarification and transparent information on the progress of the proceedings. Investigative authorities are asking for information from the public if people had contact with the missing or with the family concerned during the relevant period.

The affair is causing concern beyond the region because many young soldiers from the overseas territories are posted to mainland France for training or their first postings and initially live there without a family environment. Associations and counseling centers are urging the strengthening of contact points for newly posted service members to prevent isolation and dependency. Official responses on possible protective measures are awaited until the investigations have progressed.