New developments have emerged in the investigation of Émile’s disappearance, with police briefly detaining his grandparents and two relatives before releasing them without charges. Public prosecutor Jean-Luc Blachon indicated that the theory of an intrafamilial tragedy is waning. Meanwhile, disturbing allegations against Émile’s grandfather, Philippe Vedovini, have surfaced, detailing his history of physical abuse at a religious institution, where former students described him as impulsive and humiliating, raising serious concerns about his past behavior.
New Developments in the Émile Case
Over a year and a half has passed since the tragic passing of little Émile in the quaint village of Haut-Vernet, nestled in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region. As investigations continue, new insights are beginning to emerge regarding the circumstances surrounding the young boy’s disappearance. On March 25, 2025, the police took Émile’s grandparents, Philippe and Anne Vedovini, along with two of their children—an uncle and an aunt—into custody. They were released the following night without any charges being filed. During a press briefing on March 27, public prosecutor Jean-Luc Blachon from Aix-en-Provence mentioned that the possibility of an intrafamilial tragedy is “a phase that is coming to an end,” although he did not completely dismiss this theory.
Alarming Accusations Against Émile’s Grandfather
Philippe Vedovini, Émile’s grandfather, has come under scrutiny due to disturbing allegations from former students of Riaumont, a religious institution located in northern France. These individuals have shared their accounts of Philippe, who referred to himself as Brother Philippe, and described instances where he resorted to physical punishment, including slapping and punching children.
Having joined Riaumont in 1991 as a scout leader, Philippe was tasked with maintaining discipline within this traditionalist community. According to reports from Paris Match on March 27, 2025, testimonies gathered by Ixchel Delaporte for her 2022 publication ‘The Martyr Children of Riaumont’ reveal a troubling portrait of Philippe. Students who crossed paths with him characterized him as ‘humiliating,’ ‘impulsive,’ and someone who openly acknowledged his violent behavior.
One former student recounted their first encounter with Brother Philippe, sharing a harrowing memory: “I arrived at Riaumont in the summer of 1992. I remember Brother Philippe clearly; during our first meeting, he slapped me hard on the neck without any provocation. Over time, I realized he had an alarming penchant for slaps, punches, and kicks.” Another student echoed this sentiment, stating that fear permeated the atmosphere under Vedovini’s supervision: “He was humiliating, and that was nearly as unbearable as the physical blows. Altercations were a daily occurrence.”
Yet another account described a 12-year-old boy who recalled the uncontrollable rage of Philippe Vedovini: “One day, out of the blue, he knocked me down and punched me while I was on the ground.” These harrowing testimonies have raised questions about the past actions of Philippe Vedovini.
Despite having been previously questioned by authorities regarding his violent conduct at Riaumont, Philippe has not faced any charges. In 2018, he, along with other educators and priests, was summoned for alleged acts of violence against minors and was classified as an ‘assisted witness.’ Reports indicate that he admitted to having kicked some children and slapped or punched others during these investigations, as documented by BFMTV.com.