Police have launched a murder probe after the body of a missing 11-year-old schoolgirl was found in the woodlands in France.
Louise Lasalle, from Essone in northern France, was last seen at about 1.50pm local time on Friday when she left André-Maurois middle school in Épinay-sur-Orge.
But after she failed to return home, her parents alerted police while her sister posted on social media that Louise was missing.
Her sister posted: “My little sister Louise Lassalle disappeared at 2pm near Andre Maurois college in Epinay. She went through the Bas Follet trail. She had a purple backpack with a butterfly on it and a navy blue coat. She [had] a large white bandage on her chin too.”
But Louise’s body was found in woods not far from her school early on Saturday morning. Detectives have since launched a search of Parc des Templiers woodlands about half a mile away from where Louise attended lessons.
According to French newspaper Le Parisien, CCTV footage showed the girl as she made her way toward the park before she disappeared.
The discovery of remains brings a sad end to a huge search for Louise that involved specialist police dogs, drones and a helicopter in a bid to find her.
Public prosecutor Grégoire Dulin confirmed “an investigation into the murder of a minor has been opened” and had been taken over by the Versailles organised and specialised crime division, MailOnline reported.
An autopsy to determine the schoolgirl’s cause of death is set to be opened. Police have said they arrested a 23-year-old man, who was seen on CCTV footage, as well as his 20-year-old partner.
The pair was arrested before the body was discovered at their home in Épinay-sur-Orge about 12.45am on Saturday.
A statement from the local authority shared its sympathy “with the family’s grief.”
The post added: “As soon as [Louise’s] disappearance was reported, all means were deployed to try to find her.”
