Child Found Dead in Rennes: Two Teens Arrested for Murder, May 26

An 11-year-old boy was discovered dead Sunday on the banks of the Vilaine River in Rennes, France with a wet towel knotted tightly around his neck. A 16-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl were arrested Monday and placed in custody for murder of a minor. The exact circumstances remain unclear as investigators work to determine what happened during an afternoon outing.

How the Body Was Found

A fisherman heard a child’s cries around 4:40 p.m. Sunday and called police. Officers arrived to find the boy’s body in a wooded area near the Vilaine riverbank in the Saint-Hélier neighborhood. Emergency responders attempted CPR but could not revive him. The child was pronounced dead at the scene with a wet bath towel “tied very tightly” around his neck, according to prosecutor Frédéric Teillet.

Two Teens Held in Custody

The 16-year-old was arrested Monday morning at his home. The 15-year-old girl turned herself in to the Rennes police station that afternoon. Both were placed in custody on suspicion of murder of a minor under 15 years old. Investigators say both teenagers were seen with the victim at the scene that afternoon.

Unclear Chain of Events

A fisherman told police he saw three young people with fishing rods about an hour before the boy’s body was found. They asked him for bait in what he described as a peaceful interaction. Around 4:30 p.m., he saw two figures running away from the area. Whether this was a game that went wrong, a fight that escalated, or an intentional act remains unknown. The prosecutor plans to hold a press conference Tuesday at 6 p.m. to provide more details.

Community in Shock

The neighborhood, known locally as “little California,” is typically quiet and residential. Residents described the area as peaceful, frequented by joggers, people on picnics, and fishermen. The discovery has left the community stunned. Police and divers searched the river Monday for evidence as investigators worked to establish whether the victim and suspects knew each other before Sunday.

Final Thoughts

An 11-year-old boy died in Rennes under unclear circumstances with two teenagers now in custody. The prosecutor will hold a press conference Tuesday to clarify what happened during the afternoon outing on the riverbank.

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