Community Gathers in Mourning and Tribute for Lyhanna in Fleurance

On June 12, the small town of Fleurance in Gers mourned the death of 11-year-old Lyhanna, who was found dead on June 4. Her funeral took place privately at 14:30 in the Fleurance cemetery, where she was a student. The community expressed deep sorrow with flags at half-mast at the town hall and a procession of motorcyclists paying tribute. Thousands participated in a white march honoring her memory, while flowers and stuffed animals were left near the Hubert-Reeves college, the last place Lyhanna was seen alive on May 29, when she entered a car with Jérôme Barella, the 41-year-old main suspect now in provisional detention charged with kidnapping.

In Auch, a gathering was also organized near the town hall to coincide with the funeral. Michel Baylac, president of the Gers mayors' association, urged a moment of reflection to support the grieving family and called for legislative changes to prevent similar tragedies. The mayor of Fleurance announced that speeches from Lyhanna’s close circle would be part of the funeral ceremony, emphasizing the community's solidarity during this painful time.

The incident has deeply affected the local population, prompting widespread tribute and reflection across the Gers region.