Investigation Under Way After 12-Year-Old Boy Found Strangled in Rennes

On May 24, 2026, authorities in Rennes responded to a tragic discovery involving a 12-year-old boy found dead with a wet bath towel tightly tied around his neck. The body was discovered in a wooded area near apartment buildings on Rue Dupont des Loges, in the downtown area of Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine.

The alert was first raised around 4:40 PM by a fisherman who heard the cries of a child near the Vilaine river but could not locate him. Emergency responders arrived shortly after and found the boy in cardiac arrest. Paramedics attempted resuscitation at the scene but were unable to save him, and the boy was pronounced dead.

Frédéric Teillet, the public prosecutor of Rennes, confirmed that the cause of death was strangulation caused by the wet bath towel wrapped very tightly around the boy’s neck. Authorities have set up a white tent at the scene and are conducting thorough searches for additional evidence.

This horrific event has stunned the local community, raising urgent questions about the circumstances that led to the boy’s death and concerns about child safety in the area. The police are continuing an active investigation into the incident, seeking to uncover further details surrounding the tragedy.

The discovery has initiated a wider inquiry and highlighted the need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable children. Authorities have not yet released information about any suspects or motives, leaving investigations ongoing.