On 28 October, a 42-year-old Ukrainian national was taken into custody in Monaco in connection with the death of 29-year-old Antoine de Massy, a relative of Prince Albert II. The man has been charged with manslaughter and failing to assist a person in danger. The public prosecutor’s office stated that the investigation aims to establish the circumstances surrounding de Massy’s death.
Briefly about the main points
- A Ukrainian man was taken into custody following the opening of a judicial inquiry.
- Antoine de Massy’s body was found near Larvotto Boulevard.
- The forensic report suggests a probable fall from a height of approximately 13 metres.
- The defendant denied the charges against him and declined to make a statement to the judge.
- Investigators are analysing video footage and the deceased’s contacts prior to his death.
The body was found following a report from relatives
Body Antoine de Massy He was found on 25 October near Larvotto Boulevard, not far from the Mediterranean coast. Prior to this, his relatives had contacted the police as they had been unable to get in touch with him. According to local media reports, the search began after he failed to attend a planned family gathering.
Attorney General of Monaco Stéphane Thibault reported that the forensic medical examination suggests a probable fall from a height of approximately 13 metres. The investigation is looking into the theory that where Massi He may have fallen from the boulevard onto the open space behind the residential block.
On the night before his body was found, de Massi was seen near the exit of a nightclub. According to AFP, he was staggering, and there was a man standing beside him who was supporting him. These circumstances alone do not explain the cause of his fall.
The defendant denied the charges against him
A Ukrainian national was detained on 26 October. After the case was referred to the investigating judge, he refused to answer questions; whilst in police custody, the man denied the allegations against him.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has not disclosed exactly which acts formed the basis for the charges brought. The office also noted that the alleged offences may have taken place at different times. Being in custody and facing charges does not mean that the man’s guilt has been established by a court.
De Massi belonged to the extended princely family
Antoine de Massy was the grandson of Princess Antoinette — the elder sister of Prince Rainier III, the father of Monaco’s current ruler. He was Albert II’s second cousin and held no official duties within the princely family. Following the announcement of his death, the Prince’s Palace expressed its condolences on behalf of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene.
Investigators will piece together the sequence of events leading up to the crash
One of the main objectives of the judicial investigation is to reconstruct the events leading up to de Massi’s death. Law enforcement officers are examining his contacts shortly before his death and CCTV footage; according to the prosecution, the footage shows the suspect in contact with the deceased along Larvotto Boulevard.
The investigating judge must establish the exact sequence of events, the circumstances of the fall and the defendant’s possible liability. Previously, the prosecution had not ruled out the possibility that it was an accident.
