In a small village in the Vienne region of France, the community is gripped by anxiety as the search continues for 28-year-old Agathe Hilairet, who has been missing since Thursday, April 10, 2025. The jogger was last seen in a wooded area near Vivonne, prompting an extensive search effort that has mobilized dozens of gendarmes and raised concerns among local residents.
Agathe's disappearance has sent shockwaves through the village of Voulon, where her phone last pinged. The village, home to around 450 residents, is located just ten kilometers south of Vivonne. "Since Thursday, we have been living in constant tension," said a local café owner, who has been following the news closely. "Everyone is talking about it, and there are so many questions. We feel like we are not safe anymore."
Witnesses reported seeing Agathe jogging in the area before she vanished. Her last known activity was a run she embarked on around 10:30 AM on the day of her disappearance. When she did not return home, her father raised the alarm. The local prosecutor's office quickly opened a judicial investigation for kidnapping and sequestration, a move that has intensified the search efforts.
As of Tuesday, April 15, 2025, the search operation has involved about 100 gendarmes, including specialized investigators. They have received over 140 reports from the public following an appeal for witnesses. The gendarmerie is focusing on a restricted area of approximately three square kilometers around Vivonne, a zone characterized by dense woods and challenging terrain.
Océane, an old friend of Agathe, expressed her growing concern in an interview with BFMTV. "I really feel worried for her. You always imagine the worst, and I hope that won’t be the case," she said. The two friends attended high school together but lost touch as they pursued different paths after graduation. "You just can’t imagine that someone you know could disappear like this overnight," Océane added, visibly shaken by the situation.
Local residents have become increasingly vigilant, especially joggers who frequent the area. Roxane, a 26-year-old runner, noted, "I used to run without my phone. Now, I pay attention to everything. I think about Agathe and what happened to her, just nearby." The mayor of Vivonne, Rose-Marie Bertaud, has urged the community to remain calm, stating that the investigation is being taken seriously. "There is no evidence at this stage to prove that there has been a kidnapping or sequestration," she reassured the public.
The investigation has also drawn comparisons to a chilling case from 2015, when another jogger was assaulted in the same area. Her attacker was never caught, and the similarities between the two cases have heightened fears among local residents. "We are trying to explore every possibility, and we need to find out what happened to Agathe," said a police spokesperson.
As the search continues, the community remains on edge. Reports of suspicious individuals in the vicinity have surfaced, with one café owner recalling a man who seemed out of place on the day Agathe disappeared. "He came in to buy a bottle of water. I tried to talk to him, but he didn’t respond. He just left," he recounted.
In a somber reflection of the atmosphere in Voulon, a local resident remarked, "With the beautiful weather, we used to see many joggers out here, but now the psychosis is settling in. People are afraid to venture too far from the village until we know more." This sentiment was echoed by several others who have taken to avoiding the trails they once frequented.
The search has also involved advanced technology, including thermal imaging from helicopters and underwater searches in nearby rivers. The local gendarmerie has been working tirelessly to cover every inch of the designated search area, but so far, no sign of Agathe has been found.
Despite the ongoing efforts, the situation remains dire as days pass without any leads. The community is left to grapple with the uncertainty of Agathe's fate. "We are all hoping for the best, but the longer this goes on, the more difficult it becomes to remain optimistic," said another resident.
As the investigation unfolds, the local authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward. The emotional toll on Agathe's family and friends is palpable, as they navigate the anguish of not knowing what has happened to her. "Every day that passes without news feels like an eternity," Océane lamented.
With the search efforts ongoing and the community united in hope, the story of Agathe Hilairet serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of safety in everyday life. As the investigation progresses, all eyes remain on Vivonne, waiting for any sign that Agathe will return home.
