An American man has been charged with the murder of his 16-year-old step-son, who died from head injuries in Ille-et-Vilaine (Brittany) on Sunday (August 28).
The teenager, Marlown Laborde, was found just before 08:00 by local residents outside his home in Vignoc – to the north of Rennes. He had suffered significant cranial injuries.
An autopsy carried out on Monday (August 29) confirmed further wounds.
Rennes’ public prosecutor, Philippe Astruc, announced that his 34-year-old stepfather had been charged for ‘voluntary homicide while in a drunken state’ and held in custody on Tuesday (August 30).
While being questioned, the man “confirmed his presence at the family home at the end of the night, but denied being the perpetrator of the act,” the prosecutor said.
Marlown was a talented under-16 football player and was heavily involved with leading younger teams.
His football club published a statement reading: “We are immensely sad to announce the death of Marlown Laborde.
“Marlown was passionate about football; he lived for football. He was liked by all the generations represented within the [club].
“How can we accept the unbearable fragility of life, when Marlown was [supposed to be] entering into his life?
“Our thoughts are with his close family and friends.”
A march has been organised in Vignoc on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 6 to pay tribute to Marlown. It will be followed by a vigil in the evening.
Marlown lived with his mother, step-father and their four other children.
The step-father, who has no previous convictions, drew the attention of the police investigation because of traces of the boy’s blood found within the house, and he was arrested on Sunday afternoon.
The presence of “serious and consistent pieces of evidence” enabled the authorities to charge him.
If found guilty of voluntary homicide, he faces life imprisonment.
The mairie of Vignoc told The Connexion that there has not been any news on the case since Tuesday.
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