For more than 15 years, the fate of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès has remained one of France’s biggest mysteries. The 50-year-old is suspected of having murdered his entire family and burying them in concrete under their home before fleeing the scene. Now, the discovery of an obscure online account – active several years after his disappearance – has reignited speculation that France’s most wanted man may still be alive.
To the outside world, the Dupont de Ligonnès family appeared to lead a somewhat ordinary life in the outskirts of the western French city of Nantes. Described as a “polite and discreet” family man by his neighbours, Xavier worked as an entrepreneur, selling advertising space and tourist guide listings. His wife, Agnès, worked as a local school assistant and taught catechism. Their children – Benoît, 13, Anne, 16, Thomas, 18 and Arthur, 20 – attended school.
