A tragic and shocking incident unfolded in France this month when a 24-year-old man admitted to murdering an 11-year-old girl after losing a game of Fortnite.
The suspect, identified as Owen L., confessed to police that his anger over the loss, combined with a prior argument with another gamer, led him to commit the horrific crime.
The event took place on February 7, when the victim, Louise Lasalle, was walking home from school in the town of Epinay-sur-Orge, about 25 kilometers south of Paris.
Owen L., reportedly frustrated after his video game defeat and a confrontation with another player, decided to walk around outside to calm down. While doing so, he encountered Louise and, in a disturbing twist of fate, decided to rob or extort money from her.
Prosecutor Grégoire Dulin explained that Owen L. spotted Louise’s mobile phone, which she wore on a cord around her neck, and decided to follow her. The suspect then lured the young girl into nearby woods by falsely claiming he had lost something.
Once isolated in a secluded area, Owen L. threatened Louise with a knife, intending to search her belongings for money.
However, things took a tragic turn when Louise screamed in fear. In a panicked state, Owen L. pushed her to the ground and fatally stabbed her. Her lifeless body was discovered the following day, February 8, roughly 12 hours after she was reported missing by her parents.
Police found her mobile phone beside her body, and forensic evidence confirmed there were no signs of sexual assault. In a disturbing sequence of events leading up to the crime, Owen L. had reportedly tried to lure another girl into the woods before targeting Louise.
He later confessed to his girlfriend that he had “done something serious” and took steps to destroy evidence by bleaching his clothes and disposing of them. The girlfriend, who did not report the crime, has since been charged with failing to alert authorities.
Owen L., who has a history of petty crime, lived with his parents at the time of the incident. His older sister had previously filed a police report against him in 2023, accusing him of violent and aggressive behavior.
This tragic incident highlights not only the devastating consequences of impulsive rage but also the growing concern about the impact of violent video games on young minds.
The case has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing outrage at the senseless loss of an innocent life over something as trivial as a video game defeat.
As the investigation continues, authorities are grappling with the implications of such an appalling crime. Owen L. remains in custody, awaiting trial for his actions.
The local community, still reeling from the shock of the murder, has come together to mourn the loss of Louise Lasalle, a young life stolen too soon.
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