For the first time since the disappearance of Manon Relandeau, the Gendarmerie Nationale is opening the search effort to the public. On Saturday, May 23, a large-scale citizen search will be conducted around the village of Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc in Loire-Atlantique, as investigators and family members hope to find a breakthrough in a case that has remained stalled for more than a month.
Relandeau, a 31-year-old farmer and horse breeder, has not been seen or heard from since March 27, 2024. While an official alert was not triggered until April 3, the subsequent investigation has quickly evolved from a missing persons case into a complex criminal inquiry involving international borders and allegations of evidence tampering.
The upcoming operation represents a strategic shift by the Nantes gendarmerie. While previous calls for community searches circulated on social media, authorities initially blocked those efforts to prevent the contamination of sensitive crime scenes. This coordinated effort, however, is designed to cover vast areas of the countryside—characterized by woodlands and marshes—that may have been overlooked during initial professional sweeps.
A coordinated community effort
The search will be strictly managed by the Nantes company of the gendarmerie and the research section. To ensure the integrity of the investigation, the police have established a system of marked sectors and assigned gendarme referents to lead each group of volunteers. The primary objective is to locate any physical evidence or remains that could advance the case.
According to a spokesperson for the Nantes gendarmerie, these citizen searches are a continuation of the existing investigative strategy rather than a change in direction. To maintain operational security, the authorities have mandated a strict registration process via the Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc town hall, requiring participants to be at least 15 years old.
The local community has remained on edge since the disappearance. In a region where Relandeau was known for her passion for nature and horses, the silence surrounding her whereabouts has created a climate of profound anxiety. The transition to public searches is seen by the family as a necessary step in the pursuit of the truth.
The primary suspect and the Algerian deadlock
At the center of the investigation is Relandeau’s partner, 41-year-old Abdelkarim B. On April 2, shortly after the disappearance, Abdelkarim B. Left France for Algeria, his country of origin, taking their 15-month-old daughter with him.
He remains the primary suspect in the disappearance. Algerian authorities arrested him in late April and he is currently held in provisional detention in his home country. While he maintains his innocence, investigators have pointed to several incriminating indices. Court records indicate that Abdelkarim B. Was previously convicted in 2019 of domestic violence against a former partner, receiving a suspended prison sentence.
The case now faces a diplomatic hurdle: Algeria generally does not extradite its own nationals. This legal reality means that while the suspect is in custody, the possibility of him facing trial on French soil remains uncertain, complicating the efforts to obtain a full confession or a location for Relandeau.
Legal developments and released suspects
The investigation has also scrutinized those within the couple’s immediate circle. In recent weeks, two other individuals—a taxi driver and a cleaning lady who worked in the couple’s home—were placed in provisional detention.
They were charged with “association of criminals and modification of a crime scene,” suggesting that investigators believe there was a concerted effort to hide evidence or alter the environment where Relandeau was last seen. However, following a challenge by their defense attorneys before the chamber of instruction of the Rennes Court of Appeal, both individuals have been released.
They are currently under judicial supervision, meaning they remain under the purview of the court and may face future charges if new evidence emerges from the current searches or from the interrogation of the primary suspect.
| Date (2024) | Event | Status/Detail |
|---|---|---|
| March 27 | Disappearance | Manon Relandeau last seen |
| April 3 | Official Alert | Missing person report filed |
| April 2 | Departure | Abdelkarim B. Leaves for Algeria with child |
| Late April | Arrest | Abdelkarim B. Detained in Algeria |
| May 23 | Citizen Search | Gendarmerie-led public search in Saint-Étienne-de-Montluc |
The impact on the family
For those closest to Manon Relandeau, the passage of time has turned hope into a grim determination. Her godmother has publicly stated that she is preparing for the worst while insisting that the perpetrator must be held accountable. The disappearance of a mother and horse breeder has left a void in the local agricultural community, where Relandeau was highly regarded for her dedication to her animals and her young daughter.
The current investigation is being coordinated by the Gendarmerie Nationale, focusing on the intersection of forensic evidence and international legal cooperation.
The next critical phase of the case will depend on whether the citizen searches yield physical evidence and how the French judiciary navigates the legal impasse with Algerian authorities regarding the custody and questioning of Abdelkarim B.
This represents a developing story. We invite readers to share this report and leave comments below as new information becomes available.
Note: If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, resources are available. In France, you can contact the national helpline at 3919.
