A former French police officer and rugby league youth international has been taken into custody in Portugal following the grim discovery of two bodies believed to be those of his ex-partner and current partner. Cedric Prizzon, 42, was apprehended by Portuguese authorities on Wednesday after being stopped in a vehicle near Meda in the country's northern region.
Discovery of the Bodies
Portuguese police confirmed late on Wednesday that they had located 'two bodies buried... in an isolated place.' The remains are suspected to be those of the partner and ex-partner of Cedric Prizzon, though formal identification procedures are still ongoing to consolidate evidence. This discovery came just one day after Prizzon was detained while traveling with his two children—a 12-year-old boy and an 18-month-old baby girl.
Evidence Found in the Vehicle
During the vehicle stop, officers uncovered a cache of concerning items. These included a pump-action shotgun, counterfeit documents, false number plates, and approximately 17,000 euros (equivalent to £14,700) in cash. The presence of these materials has intensified the investigation into Prizzon's activities and motives.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Following several hours of intensive questioning, a court in Vila Nova de Foz Coa—located not far from where Prizzon was detained—ordered him remanded in custody on Thursday evening. Judicial officials have indicated that Prizzon is suspected of multiple serious offenses, including aggravated homicide, desecration of a corpse, and kidnapping. The charges reflect the severity of the alleged crimes and the ongoing nature of the police inquiry.
Background of the Suspect
Cedric Prizzon is a former member of the Paris police force and once played rugby league at a youth international level. In recent years, he had become known as a fathers' rights activist, embroiled in a highly public and acrimonious custody battle with his ex-partner. This conflict had escalated to the point where Prizzon was stripped of his custody rights and previously convicted of harassing his former partner. In 2021, he illegally took their son to Spain for several weeks, further complicating the legal situation.
Disappearance and Investigation
French police had been actively searching for Prizzon since the two women vanished from their homes in the Aveyron area of south-central France last week. The investigation gained urgency after his ex-partner, a 40-year-old insurance company employee, failed to report for work on Friday, and their son was absent from school. Simultaneously, Prizzon, his new 26-year-old partner, and their infant daughter were also missing from their residence in the nearby village of Savignac.
Detectives quickly identified Prizzon as a prime suspect in the abductions. His history of contentious behavior, including mounting a social media campaign against his ex-partner where he accused her of endangering their child, added to the suspicions. Prizzon had also participated in protests alongside other fathers who had lost custody of their children, highlighting his deep involvement in fathers' rights advocacy.
Community Reaction
Residents of the two villages where the women lived expressed profound shock and horror upon learning of their deaths. One local woman in her 60s shared with AFP that, while she considered Prizzon to be 'unhinged,' she 'never thought he would go so far.' This sentiment underscores the community's disbelief at the tragic turn of events.
Next Steps for the Children
Authorities have announced that the two children found with Prizzon—the 12-year-old boy and 18-month-old girl—are to be returned to France. Their welfare is now a priority as the legal and investigative processes continue to unfold in both Portugal and France.
