A man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and failure to assist a person in danger after the body of 29-year-old royal Antoine de Massy was found dead in a park. De Massy, a second cousin of Prince Albert II of Monaco, was discovered near the Larvotto district over the weekend after failing to attend a family lunch.
Discovery and arrest
De Massy's family alerted the police to his absence, prompting the discovery of his body on Sunday. On Monday, a day after the royal's body was found, a 42-year-old Ukrainian man was taken into police custody. The suspect, who has lived in the area for around three decades, was arrested and has denied the allegations. He remains in custody and did not respond to any questions in court.
Monaco's Prosecutor General, Stéphane Thibault, confirmed on Wednesday that a judicial investigation had been opened and that the case had been assigned to an examining magistrate. The individual who has been charged was believed to have been in contact with the 29-year-old royal before his death, as determined after police reviewed CCTV. Thibault said that the two charges relate to what prosecutors believe may have occurred at separate moments.
Background and family statement
No further details have been given, and the circumstances around Antoine de Massy's death remain unclear, although it is believed he fell from a height. The royal was the grandson of Princess Antoinette, the elder sister of Prince Rainier III, making him a second cousin of Prince Albert. His father was Baron Christian de Massy, and his mother was Cécile Gelabale.
Antoine spent some years living in Florida, where he pursued his love for tennis. He once said that his dream was to become the world's "number one" tennis player, and that his cousin Albert was a big fan of his tennis. The royal dreamed of representing Monaco at the Olympic Games.
Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène issued a statement on Monday expressing sadness at his death. The statement read: "Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène were saddened to learn of the death of Antoine de Massy, aged 29, the grandson of Princess Antoinette, the elder sister of Prince Rainier III. Their Highnesses share in the grief of his family and loved ones and offer them their sincere condolences at this painful time."
