Family of Sophie Toscan du Plantier hope ‘fantastic’ new development could help solve case 30 years after mother of one murdered

The uncle of a French woman killed in Ireland nearly 30 years ago has said he is ‘very happy’ the FBI is investigating the unsolved case – but is ‘still sceptical’ about whether it will work.

Film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier was battered to death and found by a neighbour outside her holiday home in west Cork, Ireland, on the morning of December 23, 1996.

The married mother-of-one, 39, had gone alone to the isolated property in the coastal village of Schull to review film scripts in the run-up to Christmas.

Her murder has haunted her family ever since and received renewed public attention following a 2018 podcast series and 2021 Netflix documentary.

Ms Toscan du Plantier’s clothes were recently sent to the FBI for analysis in hopes that advancements in technology and fresh perspective might provide a breakthrough, the Irish Independent reported. 

It is understood they were brought by Irish police – known as An Garda Síochána or Gardaí – to the FBI at its research centre in Quantico, Virginia.

Asked if he felt optimistic about this, Ms Toscan du Plantier’s uncle Jean Pierre Gazeau told MailOnline: ‘I would say not so much.

‘Because of course, it would be incredible, yes, you could say, fantastic, to get new evidence from the FBI investigation.

Film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier was battered to death and found by a neighbour outside her holiday home in west Cork, Ireland, on the morning of December 23, 1996

The married mother-of-one, 39, had gone alone to her isolated holiday property (pictured) in the coastal village of Schull to review film scripts in the run-up to Christmas

The married mother-of-one, 39, had gone alone to her isolated holiday property (pictured) in the coastal village of Schull to review film scripts in the run-up to Christmas

The Frenchwoman's murder has haunted her family ever since and received renewed public  attention following a 2018 podcast and 2021 Netflix documentary about it

The Frenchwoman’s murder has haunted her family ever since and received renewed public  attention following a 2018 podcast and 2021 Netflix documentary about it

‘But at the moment, I’m still sceptical about that. We will see, we will see.

‘Of course, I am completely in favour of this kind of investigation but I cannot say I am optimistic.’

He added: ‘There are cases, there are examples, but they are very hard – examples of after many, many years, eventually, the truth came out, you know, but these examples are extremely rare.’

But Mr Gazeau – president of the Association For The Truth About The Murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier Born Bouniol (ASSOPH) – is still holding out some hope.

He said: ‘Maybe there is a tiny possibility to get something new, of course we would like to know the truth.’

Bridget Chappuis – a retired senior forensic investigator who has studied the case for several years  – spoke to MailOnline about the FBI’s involvement too.

Ms Chappuis, who has reviewed Ms Toscan du Plantier’s police case file, thinks there are other lines of inquiry Gardaí could pursue: ‘I think so. I’ve always said this in previous articles and podcasts.

‘My concern is that a cold case review – and I’ve done many in my career – is basically going back to the beginning and reinvestigating the crime as though it was day one.

Ms Toscan du Plantier¿s clothes were recently sent to the FBI for analysis in hopes that advancements in technology and another police force¿s input might provide a breakthrough

Ms Toscan du Plantier’s clothes were recently sent to the FBI for analysis in hopes that advancements in technology and another police force’s input might provide a breakthrough

‘So, it was December 23, 1996, and looking, as you would then, for forensic opportunities, anything that might have been missed, anything that might be helped by advances in science.’

With that open-endedness in mind, the ex-investigator – who worked for the Met Police and West Mercia Police across a 28-year career – added: ‘My concern, to a certain extent, about this inquiry is that they seem to be focussing still on Ian Bailey. 

‘Now, obviously he is a suspect. He was the number one suspect, he was convicted in France, but at this stage, it should be an open inquiry. 

‘That’s not to say whether he did or didn’t do it, but they shouldn’t be doing an inquiry that just focuses on one person.

‘They shouldn’t be going all out just to find evidence against Ian Bailey. They should be looking at the forensic opportunities in general.

‘And if those then point to Ian Bailey, brilliant. If they point elsewhere, then they need to follow those lines as well.’

Mr Bailey, a British former journalist who lived near Ms Toscan du Plantier’s holiday home, was the prime suspect in Ireland.

He was arrested twice there but never charged, with prosecutors citing lack of evidence.

Ian Bailey ¿ a British former journalist who lived near Ms Toscan du Plantier¿s holiday home ¿ was the prime suspect in Ireland

Ian Bailey – a British former journalist who lived near Ms Toscan du Plantier’s holiday home – was the prime suspect in Ireland

Mr Bailey, pictured outside the High Court in Dublin in 2020, was arrested twice in Ireland for Ms Toscan du Plantier's murder but was never charged

Mr Bailey, pictured outside the High Court in Dublin in 2020, was arrested twice in Ireland for Ms Toscan du Plantier’s murder but was never charged 

But in France, he was sentenced in absentia to 25 years in jail in 2019 for the murder.

In 2020, the Irish High Court ruled for the third time Mr Bailey could not be extradited to France to serve that sentence. 

The reporter always denied his involvement. He died in January last year, aged 66.

Mr Gazeau explained his family’s point of view on this: ‘In France, to some extent it was solved because for us in France, Ian Bailey is considered as the person who killed Sophie.’ 
He added: ‘To some extent, we have the justice because for us, Ian Bailey was considered as a guilty person who killed Sophie and he was judged so in France in May 2019.’ 
Ms Chappuis told the Irish Independent on Sunday early last year though she was not saying Mr Bailey was innocent or guilty, she felt he was singled out as the prime suspect – when others should also have been considered. 
ASSOPH sought her out after the article was published, inviting her to join their campaign for truth. 
Of this, Mr Gazeau told MailOnline, ‘Our position is to be always open-minded concerning all proposals, all interpretations’ – which does not necessarily mean they agree with them, he said.  

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Ireland in 2021, when then-Irish prime minister Micheál Martin (left) called Ms Toscan du Plantier's murder a 'terrible stain' on Ireland

French President Emmanuel Macron visited Ireland in 2021, when then-Irish prime minister Micheál Martin (left) called Ms Toscan du Plantier’s murder a ‘terrible stain’ on Ireland

But in Ms Chappuis’ particular cause, he pointed to her expertise, saying: ‘Every time we get rational interpretation… it’s our obligation to listen.’ 

Mr Gazeau explained why he thought the FBI were being brought into the investigation now. 

He explained: ‘I think the Irish police is, for many reasons, essentially for political reasons, diplomatic reasons, they are trying to do the best again in revisiting the case, you know? It is very important for them.’

He pointed to a visit French President Emmanuel Macron made to Ireland in 2021.

Then-Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Ms Toscan du Plantier’s murder was a ‘terrible stain’ on Ireland. He urged anyone with information to come forward, even years on. 

Mr Gazeau explained: ‘There was a press conference at the time and they spoke about the case and the Irish signed a very strong statement about the willingness to solve the case in Ireland because it was never solved in Ireland.’ 

This means, he said: ‘There is a strong pressure from Ireland to try everything, you know, to – if there is some possibility to reach a part of the truth or the totality of the truth by asking, you know, the FBI, using extremely sophisticated techniques for research… you know, why not?

‘And we are very happy about that.’

The 39-year-old film producer's uncle, Jean Pierre Gazeau, told MailOnline her family is 'very happy' the FBI is investigating

The 39-year-old film producer’s uncle, Jean Pierre Gazeau, told MailOnline her family is ‘very happy’ the FBI is investigating 

Ex-forensic investigator Ms Chappuis added: ‘[Gardaí are] exploring every potential, which, when you’re doing cold case review, is obviously a very, very good thing to do.

‘The issue with anything like this, especially 28 years on, is that everything degrades, especially clothing that’s soaked in blood and everything, and the clothes have been tested twice now.

‘They were tested obviously originally and then they were tested by the French authorities.’

The retired police officer explained: ‘On the first occasion, the only DNA profiles they got up were Sophie’s own blood. 

‘When the French authorities tested them, they did find a DNA profile on her boot which wasn’t Sophie’s but also wasn’t Ian Bailey’s.

‘They’ve sent the boots so hopefully, there might be some opportunities to enhance that profile because DNA techniques are moving on rapidly all the time.

‘They’re also looking at the breeze block, I think, for the potential for touch DNA which wasn’t available in 96 when Sophie was murdered.’

Ms Toscan du Plantier’s head was bludgeoned more than 50 times, mostly after she had died.

Forensic expert Bridget Chappuis, who has studied the case extensively, told MailOnline it is good Gardaí are taking every opportunity to find out what happened to Ms Toscan du Plantier

Forensic expert Bridget Chappuis, who has studied the case extensively, told MailOnline it is good Gardaí are taking every opportunity to find out what happened to Ms Toscan du Plantier 

She was hit with a heavy concrete block, a stone and possibly also a hatchet, later found missing from her holiday home.

As to why the FBI specifically is involved, Ms Chappuis said: ‘It’s not for me to say why they’ve chosen to send it to America rather than anywhere else.

‘Obviously, we have very advanced DNA potential in this country as well. And whether they have better links with the FBI or something like that, I’m unsure.

‘Obviously, they’ve looked at it and decided this is the best option for them and undoubtedly, the FBI do have very good DNA capacity.’ 

She predicted: ‘They’ve got those links with the FBI, something like that.’

Gardaí have worked with the FBI on multiple investigations in the last few years.

But Ms Chappuis felt optimistic: ‘I genuinely, really hope that with advances in DNA, there might be some answers to this.

‘I mean, scientifically, it is a good way to go, but it’s not the only way to go. I mean, there are lots of other people to question, opportunities to look at – but I think it’s a good sign that they are doing this testing.’

Ms Chappuis, who has reviewed Ms Toscan du Plantier's police file, hopes advancements in DNA techniques might offer a breakthrough in the investigation

Ms Chappuis, who has reviewed Ms Toscan du Plantier’s police file, hopes advancements in DNA techniques might offer a breakthrough in the investigation

The ex-senior forensic investigator also believes there are other lines of inquiry Gardaí could pursue

The ex-senior forensic investigator also believes there are other lines of inquiry Gardaí could pursue

Other opportunities have presented themselves – Jared Bradley, from forensic DNA collection company M-Vac Systems, also offered to help with the case.

Using a special vaccum Mr Bradley proposed to collect forensic material from rocks and stones involved in Ms Toscan du Plantier’s murder.

He also offered to fly to Ireland to train police officers but it is understood they preferred to rely on FBI expertise.

Mr Bradley told MailOnline: ‘I am more than willing to help in any case if the agency (regardless of where it is in the world) determined the M-Vac might be of value.’ 

He pointed to the murder of 17-year-old Krystal Beslanowitch in Utah in 1995 – solved 18 years later after the M-Vac identified the DNA profile of her killer Joseph Michael Simpson.

Simpson was found guilty in 2016 and sentenced to life without parole.

The M-Vac president said: ‘Krystal was murdered by a river rock and the M-Vac was able to collect 42 times more than what was needed to generate a DNA profile.

‘There are other cases where the murder weapon was a rough and/or porous weapon.

The Frenchwoman's family are desperate for answers about the full truth of what happened

The Frenchwoman’s family are desperate for answers about the full truth of what happened 

Ms Toscan du Plantier pictured with her only son Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud, who was just 15 when his mother was murdered

Ms Toscan du Plantier pictured with her only son Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud, who was just 15 when his mother was murdered 

‘In those scenarios the M-Vac has performed very well even after traditional methods have failed.’

Ms Toscan du Plantier’s nightclothes have also been analysed in the UK – but techniques were not advanced enough at the time to identify a DNA profile other than hers on them.

When asked by MailOnline about the FBI’s involvement, Gardaí said its investigation into the murder ‘remains active and ongoing’.

It also said it has and will continue to appeal to anyone with any information about the investigation to contact Gardaí. 

It added: ‘The Garda Serious Crime Review Team’s [cold case unit] review into this murder, which began in June 2022, continues.

‘On the finalisation of this review, the Serious Crime Review Team will provide recommendations to the investigation team.’

Cold-case detectives are understood to be working closely with Irish Department of Justice lab, Forensic Science Ireland, to use advanced testing techniques on samples from the original investigation.

The FBI was contacted for comment.

Jared Bradley, an American developer of a forensic collection technology, has previously offered his expertise to support the case

Jared Bradley, an American developer of a forensic collection technology, has previously offered his expertise to support the case 

There is particular urgency now to give Ms Toscan du Plantier’s family the full truth – her father, Georges Bouniol, died on December 31, and her mother Marguerite, 93, is frail, Mr Gazeau said.

He explained: ‘Sophie’s mother, you know, is not very OK because [her husband’s death] was a very big shock for her. She has Parkinson’s, she’s not in good shape, and again, she has to face the big shock.

‘For them, they lived together for 70 years, you know, in unity.’

The couple spent three decades fighting for justice for their daughter – and two years ago, Mr Gazeau said it was their final wish to have the investigation conclude so they could live in peace.

Mr Bouniol died just days after the 28th anniversary of his daughter’s death, a date he and his wife always spent in west Cork, at a commemorative mass with their son Bertrand and their daughter’s son Pierre-Louis Baudey-Vignaud.

Ms Chappuis agreed with Mr Gazeau that the time is now for answers: ‘Sophie’s father died just before the new year. 

‘Although they believe in the verdict of the French court, they still have questions.

‘Sophie’s father died, Sophie’s mother is very frail. People just want answers. It’s haunted that community and everybody else for 28 years.’

Georges Bouniol - pictured with his daughter Ms Toscan du Plantier on her wedding day in 1981 - died on December 31, without the full truth he spent three decades seeking

Georges Bouniol – pictured with his daughter Ms Toscan du Plantier on her wedding day in 1981 – died on December 31, without the full truth he spent three decades seeking

Ms Toscan du Plantier with her husband Daniel Toscan du Plantier, also a film producer, at a film premiere in Paris in January 1996, just under a year before she was murdered

Ms Toscan du Plantier with her husband Daniel Toscan du Plantier, also a film producer, at a film premiere in Paris in January 1996, just under a year before she was murdered  

He explained: ‘From our point of view, we would like to know, in a precise way, what happened between, you know, the time, 11pm on Sunday and 10.30am on Monday.

‘It’s like a black, dark cloud, you know, we don’t know what happened.’ 

Ms Toscan du Plantier’s husband, film producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier, was the last person she spoke to, on the phone just after 11pm on December 22. She was found at around 10am the next day.

Entering the 29th year since that day and approaching the one-year anniversary of Mr Bailey’s death, Ms Chappuis added: ‘Nobody really has had any justice in this case, I don’t think.

‘My view is: if anybody knows anything, no matter what, they should talk to somebody about it. Whether it’s the guards or whether it’s somebody like me or whether it’s Sophie’s family, who I’m in touch with regularly.

‘This needs to be resolved one way or the other.’

Ms Chappuis frequently speaks to Mr Gazeau and Ms Toscan du Plantier’s cousins, often more than once a month.

She also knows both Mr Bailey’s sister and his partner – she spoke to his partner the day before talking to MailOnline.

She concluded: ‘All I want is to resolve it. So, I will speak to anybody who might help me.’

Five clues that could hold the key to the chilling murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier

1. The clothes

Ms Toscan du Plantier was wearing nightclothes at the time of her murder – a white top and elasticated leggings, with a blue dressing gown.

Her dressing gown had a 7cm rip at the collar and bits of vegetation were stuck to it – so detectives believe it was torn off her as she tried to escape either over a ditch full of briar or by climbing over a gate.

There was also an L-shaped tear on the lower left front of the garment.

A forensic scientist at the time said there was extensive blood-staining on the dressing gown, especially around the collar. They identified it as Ms Toscan du Plantier’s blood.

They added: ‘No seminal staining was detected.’

She was also wearing boots.  

2. The concrete block

After Ms Toscan du Plantier’s killer used it to strike her, they placed the block on its end on top of the dressing gown beside her body.

Taken from nearby along with the rock the killer used, it suggested no prior intent, Sunday World reported.   

3. The house

The holiday home was untouched – no money was taken. The bedding was rumpled as if Ms Toscan du Plantier had been woken suddenly by something.  

There was a smear of blood close to the back door handle. 

4.  The scratches

Mr Bailey’s hands were scratched when they had not been when he was seen in a pub hours before Ms Toscan du Plantier’s murder – according to locals. 

Mr Bailey said the scratches came from cutting down a Christmas tree. 

5. The fire

Several locals spoke of a fire on December 26 at the back of a building known as The Studio, around 100 yards from where Mr Bailey lived. 

When Gardaí searched the ashes, they found remains of a mattress and unburnt eyelets from lace-up footwear. 

Mr Bailey and his partner said the bonfire of rubbish was from the previous month.  

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