For the first time since a New Year’s Eve fire at their Swiss bar killed 41 people and injured 115, the French owners of Le Constellation in Crans-Montana have addressed their employees directly. In a two-page letter obtained exclusively by franceinfo, Jacques and Jessica Moretti break what they call an “imposed silence” to express grief, defend their actions, and attempt to mend fractured relationships with their staff.
A Bid to “Soothe Your Pain”
The letter, signed “Jessica and Jacques,” opens with words of compassion. “We decide today to suspend the silence that was imposed on us, for the time of this letter,” they write, explaining their prior quiet was due to the ongoing investigation. “This silence has been infinitely heavy and painful,” they assure their “dear employees.”
The couple extends their thoughts to staff members who perished in the blaze, naming server Cyane, security agent Stephan, and DJ Mateo. “We also mourn those who are no longer here, with immense sorrow,” the letter states.
Addressing Accusations and Shifting Blame
The communication comes amid a week of public recriminations. Some employees have given televised interviews, supported by videos and recordings, alleging the Morettis prioritized profits over safety at Le Constellation. These statements were reportedly in reaction to Jacques Moretti’s earlier claims during a judicial hearing—also seen by franceinfo—that staff knew safety protocols but failed to apply evacuation rules correctly.
In the letter, the tone shifts markedly. “You were our protégés and you still are. We bear this responsibility without seeking in any way to shift it onto you. Not for a moment could we have imagined such a tragedy,” they write. “Since January 1st, we have embodied the misfortune that strikes Le Constellation.”
They also address suspicions from victims’ lawyers about potential collusion or evidence tampering, a suspicion not cited by authorities as grounds for Jacques Moretti’s initial 14-day detention.
Denouncing “Infinite Hurt” from Media “Lies”
The bar owners express bitterness towards media coverage. “We have been infinitely hurt by many of the slanders spread,” they denounce, specifically refuting an Italian media report that Jessica Moretti fled the burning bar with the cash register. “One of the most ignoble [lies] was the immediate flight from the scene with the cash register under arm, when we were there, facing the chaos, terrified by these scenes of war during that night of horror, trying to provide help, particularly to some of you,” the letter states.
They affirm their continued cooperation with the investigation: “We will continue to collaborate rigorously and to answer all questions as best we can.”
Resolving Unpaid Wages and a Promise of Support
Finally, the Morettis respond to a practical grievance from staff: unpaid salaries. They assert wages were processed on January 6, 2026, but that all their professional and personal accounts have been frozen. They express hope the public prosecutor will authorize a partial release of funds for these urgent payments and provide a channel for employees to submit bank details via their lawyers.
The letter concludes with a pledge: “We will not abandon you. We are bound by this same destiny and we will do everything to support you.” The couple is scheduled for further questioning by Swiss authorities on February 11 and 12.
