A missing schoolgirl has been found dead – as police arrest her friend’s dad, a man previously accused of rape.
The young victim, named only as Lyhanna, vanished without a trace last Friday near the quiet village of Fleurance in south-west France.
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French police guard a farm silo where a body was found yesterday during the search to find missing 11 year-old girl Lyhanna Credit: AP
Her disappearance sparked a desperate search after she was reportedly seen getting into a man’s car.
Police confirmed a body discovered on Thursday on a remote farm near the village of Puycasquier is Lyhanna.
A police statement read: “At this time, the identification of the victim is confirmed, by means of a DNA comparison: the body discovered is indeed that of Lyhanna.”
The body was found wearing clothes similar to those the schoolgirl had on when she disappeared – crushing any remaining hope she would be found alive.
Now, a 41-year-old father-of-two has been detained as the prime suspect.
The man — believed to be the father of one of Lyhanna’s friends – was arrested after being confronted with damning CCTV footage.
During questioning, he admitted giving the girl a lift in his car – but claimed he later dropped her off at a swimming pool.
In a further shocking twist, it has emerged the suspect had previously faced multiple rape allegations that were never pursued.
