In a dramatic new development in the Lyhanna case, the wife of the prime suspect has formally accused him of rape and domestic abuse. Jérôme Barella, already under investigation for the murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna, now faces a complaint from his spouse detailing years of alleged sexual violence that began in 2014, a source close to the investigation confirmed to AFP on Friday.
The woman, who is the mother of Barella’s two daughters aged 7 and 11, was interviewed by the Toulouse gendarmerie research section on June 18. Her testimony came weeks after Barella was indicted for the abduction and sequestration of a minor under 15. According to details published by Le Paris, she told investigators that the rapes started during the course of 2014.
A Growing List of Allegations
This latest complaint significantly expands the legal peril surrounding Barella, who is increasingly viewed as a suspected serial sexual predator. The 40-year-old had already been flagged as early as 2017 when the mother of a minor expressed concern over his relationship with her daughter. He was later dismissed from a high school in February 2021 for inappropriate behavior with a student.
Multiple other complaints have since emerged, including rape allegations involving minors in October 2022 and August 2025. After the Lyhanna affair erupted, three additional complaints surfaced—two for rape of minors and one for sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl. Some of these cases had been closed or overlooked, fueling national outrage over potential failures by the justice system and law enforcement.
Family Crimes Under Scrutiny
Le Parisien now counts at least seven complaints, two formal reports, and one disciplinary procedure against Barella, in addition to his indictment in the Lyhanna case. The complaint filed by his wife could open a new chapter, focusing on crimes allegedly committed within his own family.
The accumulation of cases has intensified scrutiny of how authorities handle reports of sexual violence, particularly those involving children. The Lyhanna case has already prompted government officials to promise a comprehensive review of pending complaints concerning minors.
