Toulouse Arrest Made After 93-Year-Old Disabled Woman Found Dead in Her Home

Police in Toulouse, southern France, are investigating the death of a 93-year-old disabled woman whose body was discovered on her bathroom floor on Sunday, Sept. 27. The woman, identified as Marie-Louise, was found naked after emergency services entered the residence. Investigators suspect she was sexually assaulted and killed. Marie-Louise had been bedridden and unable to move on her own for months after suffering a stroke. Neighbors reportedly became aware of the incident after hearing screams and bangs coming from the house. A 34-year-old homeless Sudanese man was arrested at the scene. Local reports described him as an undocumented migrant. The Toulouse prosecutor’s office said an autopsy found “injuries suggestive of sexual violence” and “traumatic neck injuries consistent with asphyxiation.” The incident occurred around 5 p.m., when neighbors heard what were described as chilling screams. One recalled, according to the Sun: “We could hear it so clearly that we thought he was right there; it didn’t occur to us that it could be coming from inside the house. We heard shouts, insults – ‘f*** your mother’ – and then sounds of blows. We never could have imagined…” When police arrived, the door was reportedly locked from the inside, and spare keys from neighbors did not work, police said. Officers then went around the property and entered through the rear of the house, where they saw blood in significant quantities on the floor and mattress. Marie-Louise was then found naked on the bathroom floor. The suspect was allegedly also naked and lying on top of her. One officer was reported injured during the arrest. Prosecutors said the man had a breath alcohol reading of 0.92mg per litre. Toxicology testing is ongoing. Initial findings indicated suspected sexual violence and neck trauma consistent with asphyxiation, according to prosecutors. The Toulouse prosecutor’s office said the 34-year-old suspect had no previous criminal record. A devastated neighbor said: “She was the neighborhood grandmother.” A man added: “It’s awful, she saw me born, we did her shopping for her.”