Fatal stabbing on July 9 in Nice: Yoann Petri's alleged murderer may have committed suicide in Italy

Did Yoann Pietri 's murderer commit suicide in Italy almost three weeks ago?

According to our information, there are indications that this is the case. Yoann Petri, originally from Corsica, was about to celebrate his 43rd birthday on August 16th. Shortly before 8 p.m. on July 9th, he was attacked with a knife in the throat by an individual following a verbal altercation. He died at the scene, in the arms of an acquaintance. A volunteer coach, he was a nine-time world champion in several disciplines.

Since then, a judicial investigation was opened against unknown persons on July 24th "on the charge of murder." According to our information, the profile of a 25-year-old man quickly attracted attention. According to a relative of the victim, who was contacted by investigators, he was also the subject of an Interpol file and knew that he was wanted. This is not confirmed by the public prosecutor. One thing is certain: this individual, who was of interest to the investigation, committed suicide around August 20th. According to this relative of the victim, he wrote a letter accusing himself of the murder.

The public prosecutor of Nice, Damien Martinelli, confirms some of the information gathered by Nice-Matin: "I confirm the death in Italy, by suicide, of an individual for whom evidence had been gathered allowing us to consider his possible involvement."

The case is therefore not closed. While there are indications that he could be the murderer, as the prosecutor indicates, it is far from sufficient. A self-accusing letter could not be considered probative evidence. At best, it could reinforce a body of evidence, but would in no way be decisive.

We will therefore have to wait for the return of the international letters rogatory, which will allow the Italian authorities in charge of the investigation into the suicide to communicate the documents in their possession.

The case is moving forward, with the added difficulty that the investigating judge appointed in this case has left and we will have to wait for a successor to be appointed. "The investigation is continuing," the prosecutor said. "Depending on what is in the file, DNA evidence may help pinpoint the suicide victim to the scene of the incident that evening. We will also be interviewing the family of the person who died in Italy."

A mystery remains. What links, if any, could have united the victim to her murderer? The answers will clearly be important for Yoann Pietri's loved ones.