A woman in her sixties has died after taking her own life using an electric chainsaw in a French shopping centre carpark, in a tragic incident that has shocked the local community.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The incident occurred around 4pm on Saturday in the car park of a DIY store in Gap, Hautes-Alpes. Emergency services, including firefighters, police, and an ambulance crew, rushed to the scene following reports of the distressing event.
Despite their rapid response, the woman could not be saved. Le Parisien reported that the woman was known to have had suicidal thoughts prior to the incident occurring in front of other shoppers.
Official Response and Investigation
The Gap public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the death. Public prosecutor Marion Lozac'hmeur confirmed to TF1info on Sunday morning that 'an investigation into the cause of death has been opened.'
The investigation has been entrusted to the Gap police station and will examine the suicide of the woman, who was born in 1965.
A Disturbing Pattern of Tragedy
This heartbreaking event follows two other recent suicides in France that have been linked to bullying and harassment. Just two months earlier, Caroline Grandjean, a 42-year-old school principal, took her own life by jumping from a cliff on the first day of the new school term.
Grandjean, who lived near Anglards-de-Salers in Cantal, had been subjected to a campaign of homophobic abuse and death threats at the small nursery school in Moussages where she taught. Despite never being public about her sexuality, someone in the village of 300 residents discovered she was married to a woman and began the hateful campaign.
Tragically, Grandjean had contacted France's suicide helpline at around 10:30am local time on September 1 before jumping 30 metres from a steep hill. Because authorities had been alerted, police were able to locate her body quickly.
In another devastating case last month, a nine-year-old girl named Sara took her own life after being bullied at school about her weight in Sarreguemines, northeastern France. The death appeared to be 'a voluntary act by the girl', who left a note for her parents. Sara had been the victim of repeated bullying over her appearance at school.
These consecutive tragedies have highlighted serious concerns about mental health support and anti-bullying measures within French communities.
