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On the internet and social networks, more and more citizens passionate about news stories have taken it into their heads to investigate major criminal cases. But sometimes, some amateur sleuths go too far, and get out of hand… A report by “Special Envoy”.
More and more citizens with a passion for news stories have taken it into their heads to investigate major criminal cases. On the internet and social networks, discussion groups on this subject now bring together tens of thousands of people.
Catherine, 58, is a home childcare worker in Nantes, the city where Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès lived, suspected of the murder of his family. On one of the internet groups devoted to the case, she befriended Agnès, 50, a saleswoman who lives in Tours. The two women have been devoting their free time to the business for ten years. For the first time, Agnès is going to visit Catherine who has reserved a “de Ligonnès Tour” for her: together, they will return to the places mentioned in the survey.
When “passion” leads to court…
But sometimes, some amateur investigators go too far and slip up. Like this 62-year-old Breton, convinced of the guilt of Marcel and Jacqueline Jacob in the affair of little Grégory. To find out the truth, he harasses them on the phone. The gendarmes found dozens of books and hundreds of notes on the case at his home. “Special Envoy” followed him to court where his passion led him.
A report by Nina Montané, Solène Oeino, Jean-Pierre Guillerez, Candice Baudin and Vincent Gobert with Capa Presse, rebroadcast in “Special Envoy” on June 22, 2023.
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