A six-month investigation into the disappearance of a 72-year-old Tunisian man has led to the discovery of his body buried in a garden in Sfax. The man, a former sweets vendor born in 1954, went missing in late March 2026, and his disappearance prompted a search by the National Guard. The authorities had launched an investigation after his family reported him missing, but despite extensive searches and interviews with his relatives and acquaintances, his whereabouts remained unknown.
The breakthrough in the case came when police received information about a person attempting to sell a car of the same make as the missing man's vehicle. Further investigations led police to suspect a person who, under interrogation, claimed to have received the car from a second individual with whom he had financial dealings. This led police to a location in Qarqour, where they found the missing man's car.
As the investigation continued, police focused on a suspect who was in prison on charges related to a separate attempted murder case from last summer. When questioned, this suspect admitted to luring the 72-year-old man to his home in March with the intention of stealing his money, taking advantage of a prior acquaintance and financial assistance provided by the victim. He confessed to killing the man with a blow to the head and burying his body in the garden.
In the presence of a public prosecutor and security officials, police went to the location and exhumed the body, which was then transferred to the forensic department at Habib Bourguiba University Hospital in Sfax for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. The public prosecutor ordered the detention of the main suspect, as well as the person who had hidden the victim's car, pending further investigation into the premeditated murder.
The main suspect was already facing charges in a separate case from last summer, in which he allegedly attempted to kill someone after a financial dispute, stabbing the victim three times in the abdomen before being thwarted and forced to flee. This led to his arrest and imprisonment, and subsequent investigations linked him to the disappearance and murder of the 72-year-old man.
The case highlights the complexity and challenges of investigating crimes in Tunisia, particularly in cases where vital evidence may be difficult to obtain or witnesses may be reluctant to come forward. The authorities have been praised for their persistence and dedication in solving the case and bringing closure to the victim's family.
The investigation is ongoing, with police working to piece together the events surrounding the murder and to identify any potential accomplices. The victim's family has been informed of the developments, and they are awaiting the outcome of the forensic examination to learn more about the circumstances of his death.
Key points
- The body of a 72-year-old Tunisian man who went missing in March was found buried in a garden in Sfax.
- The suspect, who was already in prison on separate charges, confessed to killing the man and burying his body.
- The investigation is ongoing, with police working to identify any potential accomplices and piece together the events surrounding the murder.
