A disabled 93-year-old woman was found dead in her home in Toulouse, southern France, with a naked Sudanese migrant lying on top of her, it has been alleged. Police discovered the woman's naked body on her bathroom floor after rushing to the property on Sunday, following neighbours' reports of screams and blows coming from the house.
The 34-year-old Sudanese national was arrested at the scene, according to The Sun. The pensioner, who was unable to move without help, suffered "injuries suggestive of sexual violence" and "traumatic neck injuries consistent with asphyxiation", an autopsy found.
Investigation and arrest
Prosecutors have asked for the migrant to be remanded in custody amid an investigation into murder preceded or followed by rape. Police were initially unable to gain access to the property after arriving to find the door locked, before eventually entering through the back of the house.
They spotted a significant amount of blood on the floor and a mattress, before making their way to the bathroom, where the 93-year-old lay naked on the floor, allegedly with the suspect on top of her. He was said to appear intoxicated, and one officer was injured in the process of detaining him, according to reports.
Neighbours' accounts
One neighbour in the woman's residential Minimes district said they could "hear" the attack so clearly that "it didn't occur to us that it could be coming from inside the house". Others said she often left her front door open to allow easy access for carers and relatives. One described her as "the neighbourhood grandmother", with another dubbing the attack "horrific".
"We heard shouts, insults - 'f*** your mother' - and then sounds of blows," they added. "We never could have imagined..." Subsequent tests showed that the 34-year-old had a breath alcohol reading of 0.92mg per litre. The Toulouse prosecutor's office said the suspect had no prior criminal record.
