Mar 15, 2023
MURDER OF XAVIER BALIGANT … STILL REMAINS UNSOLVED …
Two years ago today – July 19, 2011 – Belgian Xavier Balignant, 29, was shot to death. Mr Baligant, divorced, was driving home to the town of Pont-à-Celles in Belgium after a camping holiday in the Ardèche department of the French region of Rhône-Alpes.
Malvaux rest area
The Incident at Malvaux Rest Area
When Mr. Baligant was nearing the town of Colombey-les-Belles beyond which the motorway was free, he pulled up in the Malvaux rest area. At around 2 a.m. an employee of the motorway operating company APRR heard shots and later found the lifeless body of Mr. Baligant lying in front of the toilet in the Malvaux rest area.
Investigation and Possible Links
Today the investigators believe that another vehicle had pulled up in the rest area at the same time as Mr. Baligant and an attempted carjacking had resulted. There has been speculation in the British media that Mr Baligant’s murderer was also that of Iraqi-born Saad Al-Hilli, 50, his wife Iqbal, 47 and her mother Suhalia 74, and that of Frenchman Sylvain Mollier, 45, on a lay-by close to the town of Chevaline in the Upper Savoy (Haute Savoie) region of France on September 5, 2012.
Mr Saad Al-Hilli
APRR’s Motorways and CCTV Footage
APRR employs 3,870 people who are responsible for approximately 1,430 miles (2,300 kilometers) of motorways and its cameras film on average 23,400 vehicles daily. Their cameras transmit its footage ‘live’ to the Ops Room (Operational Room) of the motorway police (C.R.S. 30) in the town of Chaumont. The question is: how come that after 2 years the APRR’s cameras have not yet ‘talked’.
Challenges with CCTV Footage
Despite the presence of cameras at the Malvaux rest area and along the A31, there are still no clear leads in the case. One possibility is that the cameras may have been switched off or malfunctioning at the time of the incident. Another possibility is that the killer or killers used the numerous small adjoining roads to avoid detection by the cameras.
Local Truckers and Illegal Activity
Truck drivers in the area have reported witnessing illegal activity on the small roads in the border region. However, they tend to avoid getting involved, making it difficult for law enforcement to gather reliable information from witnesses.
Lack of Progress in the Investigation
Despite the available technology and resources, the investigation into Xavier Baligant’s murder has not led to any arrests or significant progress. The case remains unsolved, leaving his family and friends searching for answers and closure.
Future Prospects for the Case
As time passes, the chances of solving the case may diminish. However, new evidence or leads could potentially emerge, leading to a breakthrough in the investigation. It is crucial for law enforcement to continue exploring any leads and for the public to remain vigilant and report any relevant information to help solve this tragic case.
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