NEWS.SKY.COM

LYON, FRANCE

Police in France have launched a murder hunt after an 11-year-old boy was found stabbed to death in the street. He had apparently been stabbed 40 times.

Killing happened near Lyon in central eastern France

The boy's injuries were so serious that paramedics initially thought he had been attacked by a wild animal.

But a medical examiner told police in Lagnieu, in eastern France, that the wounds had been inflicted with a knife-like instrument.

The victim has only been named publicly as Valentin.

Prosecutor Jean-Paul Gandoliere said the boy had been stabbed about 40 times in the throat, body and arms.

"Three of the blows are more than 10cms (four inches) deep," he said.

"The thesis of a crime is now being followed."

Valentin, who was staying with the new partner of his mother in Lagnieu, about 30 miles north east of Lyon, was out playing on his bicycle when he disappeared on Monday evening.

The body was found at about midnight.

Police said no suspects have been detained.

Comments (1)

88pdx: ... Humans are a wild animal. They weren't far from the truth... but to call whatever miscreant who did this to this child an "animal" is an insult to animals because the miscreant is an insult to humans. 1 August 02, 2008

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