The worst fears have been confirmed. The bones discovered in Mailhoc, in the Tarn region of southern France, three days ago are indeed those of Delphine Aussaguel, the missing nurse known by her married name, Delphine Jubillar. Multiple French media outlets, including BFMTV and franceinfo, reported the conclusive findings on Sunday, July 19.
The skeletal remains, which notably included two femurs, were found on Friday on a farm approximately ten kilometers from the Jubillar family home. They were immediately transported to the laboratory of the National Gendarmerie’s Criminal Research Institute (IRCGN) in Pontoise, near Paris, for forensic analysis.
A Breakthrough After Years of Denial
The DNA extracted from the bones has been formally compared to that of Delphine Jubillar, who was 33 years old at the time of her disappearance in December 2020. The analysis confirmed a direct match, ending the agonizing search for her body that has lasted over five years. This scientific validation marks a definitive turning point in a case that has captivated and horrified France.
The dramatic shift in the investigation began in early July when Cédric Jubillar, the victim’s husband, shattered his long-maintained facade of innocence. In a letter addressed to his lawyers, the 39-year-old painter and drywall installer confessed to being responsible for his wife’s disappearance, admitting to killing her and burying her body following a dispute.
From Confession to Discovery
Following this confession, Cédric Jubillar was extracted from his prison cell and heard by judicial authorities on Wednesday. During this session, he disclosed the location where he had concealed the body. This information triggered a major search operation involving around one hundred gendarmes. The intensive two-day search of the designated area ultimately led to the discovery of the bones now confirmed to be Delphine’s.According to his legal team, Cédric Jubillar now acknowledges having committed “an abominable act This admission stands in stark contrast to his behavior over the past five years. Throughout the high-profile investigation and his subsequent trial before the Tarn Assize Court, he consistently proclaimed his innocence. That trial concluded with a guilty verdict and a sentence of 30 years’ imprisonment. Cédric Jubillar is scheduled to be retried on appeal starting September 21 before the Haute-Garonne Assize Court.
