France - Five shot, four dead in French Alps, may have int'l ramifications #1

[ScotsPaddy]

But there has to be some reason for columbian drug lords to order wipe out of entire family. From the description of this family I see nothing to suggest that they were involved in a drug trade.

No neither do i,twas just in reply to another post.

 

[Snoopster]

Alps shootings: how French press buried the story (Guardian)
Murder of British family and French cyclist seen by Gallic press
as small story despite hitting front pages in UK newspapers

The French viewed the descent en masse of Her Majesty's press on Chevaline and Annecy with incredulity that, as the days passed, turned into a mix of astonishment and admiration.

I liked the phrase I bolded. How do they know it was admiration? Perhaps the french were clucking to each other about how the British press should show more discretion.

I noticed that in the French press, when they went to Mollier's workplace and town, they said that his fellow employees and townsfolk were low key and discreet, choosing not to say much. This is very much in contrast to some of the neighbours of the British family.

I wonder if the insatiable British press is being thrown some bones.

BTW, at times I have held back posting comments for fear that they might be inappropriate, whether for disrupting the investigation or disturbing the families. I am also sure I have spoken out of turn at times.
:blush:

I always "want" more details to be released by LE, however I recognize that sometimes it is simply not in the best interest of the case. Not all information is best for public consumption.

 

[rotterdam]

I have heard of Colombian drug lords ordering entire families wiped out. Who else does this type of thing? There is also a possibility the assassins were not expecting children to be there and they improvised.

For political reasons and/or ( forced) industrial espionage. EADS connection. Both could involve large sums of money , just like drugs.

 

[wfgodot]

Front-page-wise - and, to be fair, most papers highlight the spectacular Paralympic Games closing ceremony - only the Star has the story, and it only in a right-hand corner.

http://news.sky.com/

 

[sherlockh]

So does that road dead end or carry on?.

The symbols on this map don't totally work anymore but you can still see the road carries on. However there was a road sign that said driving prohibited after 3km. I don't know if it is possible to carry on by car if you really want to.
https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msa=...97226&spn=0.287354,0.425034&z=11&source=embed

 

[~n/t~]

For political reasons and/or ( forced) industrial espionage. EADS connection. Both could involve large sums of money , just like drugs.

Bingo!

 

[rotterdam]

If this were a hit arranged by family - why do it in France? Sure, it would distance it from the perp(s), but the uncertainty of the thing would add several degrees of difficulty not present in England, where family routine would be easy to establish.

On a family vacation, there is more chance to hit them in a remote location while all of them are in the same place in a confined location(car or their caravan) at the same time.

 

[~n/t~]

Front-page-wise - and, to be fair, most papers highlight the spectacular Paralympic Games closing ceremony - only the Star has the story, and it only in a right-hand corner.

http://news.sky.com/

Thanks for the link. Documents? For some reason, a will is not the first thing that pops up in my brain. What did Mr. Hilli know and who was he working for?

The family friend who has known Mr al Hilli for many years was also asked to "keep an eye on the house" and even offered to take the documents for safekeeping.

Mr al Hilli told the friend: "No, don't worry I've hidden them somewhere inside."

Police searches are continuing at the family home and French detectives have based themselves at Woking police station while they continue their work to see if there is any reason why the family could have been targeted.

 

[wfgodot]

On a family vacation, there is more chance to hit them in a remote location while all of them are in the same place in a confined location(car or their caravan) at the same time.

But wouldn't it be much easier to accomplish at their home? Not a remote location, true, but ever-so-much more of a sure thing.

Leaning toward the "dad's knowledge produced fatal consequences" scenario right now.

 

[~n/t~]

If they owned property why were they "camping"?

The family loved travelling across Europe in their caravan and were understood to own a property in the Dordogne region of south-west France.

The neighbour has known about "the problem" for several months. Why was Mr. Hilli worried about his family in Iraq?

'I've known about it for several months now. I knew he had family in Iraq. He did say he was worried about their safety. He came around to see me the night before he went and asked me to keep an eye on the house. He wasn't particularly stressed. He was looking forward to taking the kids to France again.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...eoId=&hasBCVideo=true&BCVideoID=1826984471001

 

[katydid23]

On a family vacation, there is more chance to hit them in a remote location while all of them are in the same place in a confined location(car or their caravan) at the same time.

But if it is espionage or corrupt business dealings, then WHY kill the little girls?

The Mossad would not kill innocent children or old women, nor would the M15, imo. Why would a business dispute bring on the need to slaughter the entire family?

 

[~n/t~]

But wouldn't it be much easier to accomplish at their home? Not a remote location, true, but ever-so-much more of a sure thing.

Leaning toward the "dad's knowledge produced fatal consequences" scenario right now.

Was he going to confront somebody in France? Deliver something? Hide something...like documents, perhaps?

 

[rotterdam]

rotterdam,i really think it would help in a family fued robbery case to search the family home.
There could be emails,maybe some threatening mail,large sums of money or drugs in a safe,hand written notes by the father about something or maybe to look at his business dealings?.
Also what countries did he work in?,i ask because i have a family member who runs a successfull company(100% legitimate) and was expanding into Russia which meant he had no choice but to have certain dealings with the Mafia.

It could also mean that they have no clue in which direction the investigation should be pursued.
Ah, the Russian Mafia. Actually a misnomer. We call it politics/lobbying in the USA.
My brother just spent four years in Georgia as a EU diplomat. Folks are not any different there than anywhere else. A money enforced handshake goes a long way.

 

[~n/t~]

But if it is espionage or corrupt business dealings, then WHY kill the little girls?

The Mossad would not kill innocent children or old women, nor would the M15, imo. Why would a business dispute bring on the need to slaughter the entire family?

The children weren't killed.

 

[wfgodot]

Was he going to confront somebody in France? Deliver something? Hide something...like documents, perhaps?

Meeting set up at remote location? Took the family on impromptu vacation in order to mask true purpose of French journey?

 

[kiwi50]

On a family vacation, there is more chance to hit them in a remote location while all of them are in the same place in a confined location(car or their caravan) at the same time.

I agree, if they had been at home, neighbours much more likely to notice strange cars etc, easier in a remote place in a foreign country close to borders of other countries.

Do we know if their cellphones were iphones? At least their phones will show if they had talked with anyone in the last few hours, and if smart phones probably much more.

Maybe far fetched but what if someone had planted an iphone in the car, and then used find my iphone app to keep track of them for their entire journey. I have no idea if this would work if iphone is not switched on.

Had the family taken their own caravan with them, or was this a hired one in France?

 

[~n/t~]

Meeting set up at remote location? Took the family on impromptu vacation in order to mask true purpose of French journey?

I don't think the meeting place was where they were executed but yes an impromptu family vacation including the elderly Swedish mother in law and the children.

Why would they require help from the Italians and Swiss? We're not hearing much about their "role" yet.

 

[rotterdam]

I liked the phrase I bolded. How do they know it was admiration? Perhaps the french were clucking to each other about how the British press should show more discretion.

I noticed that in the French press, when they went to Mollier's workplace and town, they said that his fellow employees and townsfolk were low key and discreet, choosing not to say much. This is very much in contrast to some of the neighbours of the British family.

I wonder if the insatiable British press is being thrown some bones.

BTW, at times I have held back posting comments for fear that they might be inappropriate, whether for disrupting the investigation or disturbing the families. I am also sure I have spoken out of turn at times.
:blush:

I always "want" more details to be released by LE, however I recognize that sometimes it is simply not in the best interest of the case. Not all information is best for public consumption.

Ah, poor Mr Mollier and his family. I read he was on paternity leave. Something unknown in the USA but common in western Europe.
And I agree with you on pointing the accusing finger at the Saad Al-Hilli's brother. All hyped up by British tabloid based on hearsay and/or flimsy evidence.

 

[~n/t~]

I agree, if they had been at home, neighbours much more likely to notice strange cars etc, easier in a remote place in a foreign country close to borders of other countries.

Do we know if their cellphones were iphones? At least their phones will show if they had talked with anyone in the last few hours, and if smart phones probably much more.

Maybe far fetched but what if someone had planted an iphone in the car, and then used find my iphone app to keep track of them for their entire journey. I have no idea if this would work if iphone is not switched on.

Had the family taken their own caravan with them, or was this a hired one in France?

It appears the caravan was their vehicle and not a rental. I don't know about tracking devices but Iphone/GPS could be one I suppose. IMO, it was a more elaborate device and they've been being watched for quite some time. I don't think this was planned out in a week.

 

[wfgodot]

I don't think the meeting place was where they were executed but yes an impromptu family vacation including the elderly Swedish mother in law and the children.

Why were the family pulled over into that particular location then? I don't think they were followed over much distance - someone knew they were going to be arriving there.

(Maybe!)