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Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès: his best friend testifies, he is very much alive!

undefined undefined 11 février 2026 undefined 18h00

The Editor

Nearly fifteen years after the events that shook France, the case of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès continues to fuel conversations, theories, and documentaries. Few criminal cases have made such a mark on public opinion and sparked so many theories. There are those who believe that the prime suspect has been dead for a long time and others who imagine him hiding at the other side of the world; the mystery remains unsolved. Recently, the words of his best friend have reignited the debate.

Unexplained disappearance, suspicions of fleeing abroad, false leads, and contradictory testimonies… The case of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès ticks all the boxes of a criminal mystery that continues to captivate public opinion over time. Year after year, the case resurfaces in the news, reigniting the same questions. And as we approach the 15th anniversary of the case, a new statement further sows doubt about the fate of France's most wanted Nantes resident.

A cold case that still haunts minds

Let’s turn back to April 2011. In Nantes, the Dupont de Ligonnès family is found buried under the terrace of their family home. Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès, the father of the family, disappears in the days that follow. He quickly becomes the main suspect in this extraordinary case. Since then, despite an international search warrant and countless sightings, he has never been found. Over the years, the case has become a true media phenomenon.iatique. Books, podcasts, documentary series: the XDDL mystery fascinates as much as it disturbs. Every new lead, even a fragile one, rekindles the public's interest. We remember, for instance, the spectacular arrest in 2019 at Glasgow airport, which turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. Other sightings followed in Cannes, in Eastern France, and even in Brittany, but none ever led to a conclusion.

The recent testimony of his best friend

It is in this context that Bruno de Stabenrath, introduced as his best friend before 2011, recently spoke out in an interview with Marie France. And for him, there's no doubt: Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès would still be alive. According to him, his friend's personality doesn't match that of someone preparing for suicide. He describes him as methodical, organized, and capable of long-term planning.

In his reasoning, the care taken in concealing the bodies wouldn’t align with the idea of an immediate suicidal act after the events. For him, this would rather indicate a desire to buy time and disappear for good. He also puts forward an argument often mentioned by supporters of the successful escape theory: Dupont de Ligonnès's ability to change his appearance. Haircuts, beards, mustaches, glasses... simple changes, but they can throw people off the trail, especially as time passes.

Between Fascination and Collective Fatigue

However, in light of these statements, many remain cautious. The investigators have never officially favored any definitive theory. Whether it's a quiet suicide or a runaway to another country, both scenarios continue to linger in the collective imagination.

Fifteen years later, one question remains: will we ever know what really became of him? In the meantime, the Dupont de Ligonnès case will remain one of France's greatest criminal mysteries!