In Avignon, a man kills his partner in front of their four children shortly after the victim called for help.

A man in his forties stabbed his 37-year-old partner to death on Sunday evening in Avignon, in front of their four children, the public prosecutor's office has learned.

The incident occurred in the impoverished Rocade neighborhood. According to initial investigations, the victim called for help shortly before the incident, the Avignon prosecutor's office told AFP, confirming a report in the local press.

The man, who was questioned on Sunday evening, "admitted to being the perpetrator of the acts" , according to the same source.

The autopsy will provide additional evidence for these "very serious facts which show signs of relentless harassment" , according to the prosecution.

96 women victims of femicide in 2023

Four children, aged between 8 and 18, were present. They received medical and psychological care and will be questioned for the purposes of the investigation.

The couple, who had apparently met when they were very young, had been living in Avignon for a few weeks. They had previously lived in the Drôme region.

The author's criminal record has not yet been established.

In 2023, 96 women were victims of domestic femicide in France, a figure down 19% compared to 2022, according to the latest report from the Ministry of the Interior published at the end of November 2024.