In a case that has captivated France for over a decade, the mysterious disappearance of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès, a man suspected of murdering his family in 2011, has recently gained renewed attention. This comes as influencer Aqababe claims to have found him in Asia, stirring both excitement and skepticism among the public and authorities alike.
Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès is infamous for allegedly killing his wife, Agnès, and their four children in Nantes, before vanishing without a trace. The gruesome discovery of their bodies, buried under the family terrace, shocked the nation and led to one of France’s most extensive manhunts. Since then, Dupont de Ligonnès has become a symbol of unresolved crime in the country.
On April 18, 2025, Aqababe, a social media influencer with over a million followers, launched an initiative to locate Dupont de Ligonnès. According to him, this effort began as a joke with his lawyer, who suggested that with his vast network, he could track down the fugitive. "I thought, why not?" Aqababe recounted in an interview with Le Parisien.
In just a week, his social media campaign gained significant traction, amassing over 190,000 followers on Instagram and generating more than 100,000 emails from people eager to assist in the search. The influencer created an email address specifically for tips and updates, and he has been actively sharing leads with his followers.
On April 26, Aqababe claimed to have found Dupont de Ligonnès in Asia, posting a photo of a man he asserts is the fugitive. However, no official sources have confirmed this sighting. The image, which shows a man in front of an Asian sign, has been met with both excitement and criticism. Many online users expressed their eagerness for updates, with comments like, "This is historic!" and "OMG, can’t wait for more!" flooding social media.
Despite the buzz, the Nantes prosecutor's office has voiced its frustration over Aqababe's initiative. They argue that his efforts are generating numerous false leads and diverting resources from the actual investigation. "This initiative is time-consuming for the investigators and produces little in the way of results," a representative from the prosecutor's office stated.
Adding to the skepticism, Romain Puértolas, a former police captain who continues to investigate the case on his own, criticized Aqababe's methods as amateurish. He emphasized that one cannot simply become an investigator overnight, noting that the information shared by the influencer often lacks credibility. "The elements he presents are more delusional than substantive discoveries," Puértolas remarked.
In light of the ongoing public interest, psychiatrist Daniel Zagury is set to release a book titled "L'Énigme publique n°1" on May 9, 2025. The book explores the psychological aspects of Dupont de Ligonnès's actions, delving into how a seemingly good father could commit such heinous crimes. "How does a killer evolve, confront life events, and ultimately prepare for a cold and calculated act of murder?" Zagury poses in his book.
As the case continues to unfold, the public remains divided. Some are eager to see justice served and hope that Aqababe’s efforts will yield results, while others caution against the dangers of amateur sleuthing. The prosecutor's office, for its part, has stressed the importance of allowing trained professionals to handle such sensitive investigations.
The story of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès is one that has gripped the French public since 2011, and with new developments arising, it seems far from over. The mystery surrounding his disappearance and the tragic fate of his family continues to haunt the nation.
As of now, Dupont de Ligonnès remains at large, and the search for answers persists. Aqababe has promised to keep his followers informed, stating that his lawyer will issue a statement regarding the investigation on the evening of April 27, 2025. Meanwhile, the public waits with bated breath, hoping for closure in a case that has become a national enigma.
