In Case That Gripped France, a Confession

The missing body at the center of one of France's most-watched murder cases may finally be found—because the convicted husband has admitted his guilt. From his prison cell, 38-year-old Cedric Jubillar wrote to his lawyers and admitted that he killed his wife, Delphine, in December 2020 at their home in southern France, reports the BBC. He also promised to lead authorities to the body, said attorney Pierre Debuisson.

Jubillar, who was sentenced last year to 30 years for Delphine's murder despite no body ever being discovered, had until now maintained his innocence and was set to appeal his conviction in about two months, notes Le Monde. "A few weeks ago, he said to me, 'I need to tell you the truth. It was me,'" said Debuisson. Jubillar said he killed his wife "after yet another marital row," according to the attorney. A lawyer for the couple's two children said the confession brings relief and urged Jubillar to quickly reveal the burial site. The case began during France's COVID lockdown, when Jubillar called police at 4am to report the 33-year-old night nurse missing from their village of Cagnac-les-Mines.