Investigators are working tirelessly to find the missing boy, but they are realistic that the chances of him being found alive are minimal. They have closed many slopes and searched 36 homes, resulting in several suspects being arrested for questioning. Phones have been tapped, and people have been discreetly shadowed, but there have been no significant breakthroughs in the case yet.

A crucial suspect in the case is a 16-year-old boy who drove a tractor through the village on the day of Émile’s disappearance. However, there is no concrete evidence against him yet. The community in Haut-Vernet is eager for the mystery to be solved and hopes for a miracle, but with the impending snow, finding Émile before spring arrives will be nearly impossible.

French investigators have identified three critical slopes that remain open as they pursue various leads. One possibility is that Émile’s body was taken and dumped or hidden somewhere else. Another possibility is that he was taken by a stranger, although there is currently no hard evidence for this. Lastly, investigators are also exploring family drama as it was known from the start that tensions were already high within his family.

Speculation in French media has centered on Émile’s family, especially his parents and grandparents, who have been subjected to scrutiny with their homes being searched multiple times. Investigators are also concerned about the possibility that if his body was dumped nearby, he could have fallen prey to wild animals.

Despite all these efforts and speculation, the whereabouts of Émile remain unknown and investigators continue to pursue various leads and avenues of investigation in hopes of finding him alive.