108-year-old woman found partially undressed after burglary in Villeurbanne as sexual assault inquiry opens

Tuesday 11 August 2026 - 12:00

By: Sahili Aya

108-year-old woman found partially undressed after burglary in Villeurbanne as sexual assault inquiry opens

French authorities have opened an investigation into burglary and suspected sexual assault after a 108-year-old woman was found in distress at her home in Villeurbanne, near Lyon.

The incident took place on Friday, August 7. The woman was discovered by her home-care assistant at around 10:30 a.m., according to information from a source familiar with the case.

The elderly resident was reportedly found on her sofa, partially undressed and in a state of shock. Her condition prompted an immediate response, while investigators began examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police investigate both theft and possible sexual assault

The case is being treated as more than a conventional burglary. Investigators are examining allegations of theft alongside a possible sexual assault, according to the information available.

The circumstances in which the woman was found have led authorities to investigate whether she was subjected to an additional assault during the break-in.

Details about what may have been taken from the property, the identity of any suspect or the precise sequence of events have not been publicly established.

A vulnerable resident targeted at home

The case has drawn attention because of the victim's extreme age and vulnerability. At 108, the woman was receiving assistance at home, and it was during a scheduled visit that her caregiver discovered her.

Her discovery in an apparently distressed condition has become a central element of the investigation as authorities seek to establish what happened inside the property.

Investigators are expected to gather evidence from the residence and reconstruct the events leading up to the caregiver's arrival.

Investigation continues near Lyon

Villeurbanne, located immediately east of Lyon in the Rhône department, is part of the wider Lyon metropolitan area.

Authorities have not indicated whether a suspect has been identified or arrested. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to establish the circumstances of the burglary and determine whether a sexual assault occurred.

The case highlights the particular vulnerability of elderly people living alone, while the alleged circumstances have added a serious criminal dimension to an incident initially involving a suspected break-in.