A 23-year-old man has confessed to murdering an 11-year-old girl in France after an argument over a game of Fortnite.
The victim, identified as Louise Lasalle, was found dead in a woodland area in Epinay-sur-Orge, a town about 16 miles south of Paris, in the early hours of February 8, 2025.
According to reports, the suspect, Owen L., admitted to investigators that he became “very angry” after losing a Fortnite game and having a heated altercation with another online player.
In an effort to calm down, he left his house and wandered the streets, later encountering Louise in the woods. The suspect, who reportedly did not know the victim, noticed her mobile phone and decided to follow her.
When the two reached a quiet spot in the woods, Owen L. threatened Louise with a knife, claiming he needed to search her belongings for money. In a panic, Louise began screaming, and Owen L. pushed her to the ground before fatally stabbing her.
Her body was later found with her mobile phone beside her, and authorities confirmed there was no evidence of sexual assault.
The suspect reportedly confessed to his girlfriend that he had committed “something serious” before disposing of the weapon and cleaning up his clothes.
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His girlfriend, who has not been named, has since been charged with failing to report the crime.
The suspect, who has a criminal history for minor offenses, was unemployed and living with his parents. His sister had previously filed a complaint against him for violent behavior in 2023.
Louise Lasalle, who had been walking home from her school on February 7, was reported missing by her parents after she failed to return home.
Her sister had appealed on social media for help in locating her, and CCTV footage later showed Louise entering the Bois des Templiers woods, where her body was discovered.
The community has expressed deep sorrow over the senseless act, with Epinay-sur-Orge’s mayor, Olivier Marchau, sharing his grief on social media.
“No words are strong enough to express our sadness,” he said, adding that Louise had been a “joyful young girl” with a bright future ahead of her.
