Body of Missing 24-Year-Old Woman Found in Agricultural Basin in Maine-et-Loire

Investigators believe Justine Roche may have drowned while attempting to rescue her dog, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation.

Justine Roche, a 24-year-old geography student, was reported missing after leaving for a walk with her dog on Friday, January 3, in Beaupréau-en-Mauges, Maine-et-Loire.
Her body was discovered on Sunday, January 5, in a water reservoir located approximately 300 meters from her family home.
Authorities are prioritizing the hypothesis that she entered the basin to save her dog, possibly after it was attacked by a fox, whose body was also found in the water.
The site of the incident, described as dangerous and difficult to access, is surrounded by fencing and situated on elevated terrain.
Further medical examinations are planned to confirm the precise cause of death as investigators continue to examine the circumstances of the tragedy.