“Justice for Larissa.” “Hand over the perpetrators.” The discovery of the body of a 10-year-old girl, who had been missing since April 30, sparked outrage among the residents of Ambositra. On Thursday, an angry crowd marched through the city carrying the girl’s body, demanding the perpetrators be handed over, before vandalizing and setting fire to the home of one of the suspects arrested in May. A business operated by the suspect’s family was also looted.
The mobilization was triggered by the discovery on Wednesday of Larissa’s body, found buried in a pit in Fasimena, in the Ambositra district. Protesters marched through the streets behind banners reading “Justice for Larissa” and “Hand over the perpetrators,” demanding that the accused be turned over to them.
During the day, part of the crowd went to the home of one of the suspects, which they ransacked before setting it on fire. A hardware store operated by the suspect’s family was also looted. Law enforcement intervened late in the day to disperse the protesters using tear gas.
The girl’s body was found following information provided by one of the suspects, the prosecutor stated in a video released by the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday evening. Despite the advanced state of decomposition, the family confirmed they were able to identify the child by her hair and clothing. On Thursday, images of the exhumation circulated widely on social media.
Larissa disappeared on April 30, 2026, while on her way to school. Her disappearance was reported the same day by her parents. Investigations led to the arrest of four individuals charged with kidnapping and demanding a ransom of 30 million ariary, of which four million had reportedly already been paid. They were brought before the prosecutor on May 8. One suspect had confessed to his involvement but had not previously revealed the location of the body.
The discovery of the remains has reignited emotions in the city. Among the accused is a woman identified by investigators as a close acquaintance of the victim’s mother. On Thursday evening, the Ministry of Justice announced the transfer of the four suspects to the Tsiafahy and Antanimora prisons, stating that this measure is intended to ensure their safety and the proper conduct of judicial proceedings.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-24 09:23:39 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://2424.mg/meurtre-dune-fillette-a-ambositra-la-foule-incendie-la-maison-de-la-famille-dun-suspect/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=meurtre-dune-fillette-a-ambositra-la-foule-incendie-la-maison-de-la-famille-dun-suspect