Cédric Jubillar's Trial Begins Amid No-Body Murder Dynamics

The trial of Cédric Jubillar, accused of murdering his missing wife Delphine, commenced on September 22, 2025, in Albi, France, igniting public fascination as it is one of the latest in a series of no-body trials in the country. Jubillar, the primary suspect in the disappearance of Delphine Jubillar on December 15, 2020, faces charges of "murder committed by the victim's spouse." He has been in custody since June 2021, consistently asserting his innocence amidst ongoing investigations that have generated roughly 15,000 pages of evidence.

This trial is set to unfold over nearly a month, concluding on October 17, 2025. It will feature extensive witness testimonies, with 65 witnesses and 11 experts expected to provide insights into the case. Notably, Cédric Jubillar is scheduled to take the stand for his testimony on October 10—his first opportunity to publicly discuss events surrounding his wife's disappearance. The court is prepared for the considerable media scrutiny, with over 300 journalists accredited, making this trial significantly more covered than others in the past.

The case against Jubillar highlights a broader trend in the French legal system, which allows murder trials to proceed without a body confronting fascinating jurisprudential challenges. Historical cases, such as those of Agnès Le Roux and Suzanne Viguier, exemplify the complexities and public intrigue surrounding no-body trials. A noteworthy precedent involved Maurice Agnelet, who was convicted in 2014 for the murder of his mistress despite the absence of a corpse, illustrating that strong circumstantial evidence can lead to s verdict even in such morally and legally complex scenarios. Legal theorists suggest that these trials indicate a societal demand for accountability, even against the backdrop of seemingly insurmountable evidence gaps.

As the trial progresses, the public and media will closely watch how the arguments unfold, particularly in the face of significant evidence yet the absence of Delphine's body, raising ongoing debates on the implications for justice, fairness, and the rights of the accused. The outcome could set important precedents in French law regarding the prosecution of murders without physical evidence.