Hunt in France for woman last seen at Dordogne motorway rest area

Police in Dordogne have launched a missing person inquiry after a 35-year-old woman disappeared from a motorway rest stop.

The woman, named Mélanie, reportedly vanished from the motorway service area Saint-Laurent-du Manoire, near the commune of Boulazac Isle Manoire on the A89 on Tuesday (May 30).

Mélanie’s car broke down, leading a motorway patrol officer to come to her assistance, at around 13:00. She said she needed the toilet, so the officer took her to the nearest rest stop. She then reportedly went to the toilet block but never reappeared.

The patrol officer became worried and called the gendarmerie.

A trained police dog from the Périgueux gendarmerie meticulously searched the area on Thursday (June 1) but found nothing to trace the woman, who lives in Condat-sur-Vézère, Dordogne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine).

French police have now opened a missing person inquiry to determine how Mélanie was able to disappear without trace, why she may have left, and where she could be now. A geographic search, and monitoring of her bank cards, are underway.

The case is further complicated by the fact that Mélanie, reportedly suffers from disorientation episodes., and has previously been known to go missing for up to 15 days at a time.

Mélanie’s sister is asking that anyone who may have any information to contact her as soon as possible. The number to call with any information is 06 85 79 48 23.

Read also

Paris urged to act after video appears to show gunmen in Nice street

Burglaries, violence, sex crimes in France increase after Covid dip