The group discovered the body of a woman in the garden on Saturday in an area that opens into the woods. A source said the woman’s body was found “hunched in a dug-out area, her head against the ground, covered in branches and surrounded by wood stumps.” The woman, who was white and in her early forties, was dressed, but was not wearing shoes. She had a “ring with a large stone” on her finger. Police found no identifying documents on the body. The body was in a state of advanced decomposition. An autopsy will be carried out. Police expect foul play was involved in the woman’s death.
Airbnb is a popular home-sharing website. French authorities in the area called Evry are investigating the death of the woman. Bertrand Daillie, the deputy prosecutor for Evry, said the body had been covered by tree branches and placed there deliberately. While the renters were questioned on Sunday but their only connection to the event had been renting the house for the weekend and the discovery of the corpse.
Daillie said the house was owned by a family of seven who have gone for a vacation in another region for a few days. They are expected to return this Wednesday when they will be questioned by police. The police said the owner was distraught at the discovery.
The listing of the house was removed from Airbnb on Sunday. The house has seven bedrooms and was built in the 19th century. It has its own swimming pool and ls located near a forest. It is in a well-off neighborhood. The price per night for rental was 400 euros or 435 US dollars per night.
An autopsy, which was performed on Monday, did not establish the cause of the woman’s death but estimated the time of death to be a month or more ago. There will be further forensic examinations. The house can be seen here.
