A man in his twenties was arrested near the station of Arras (Pas-de-Calais) Saturday, September 23. He is suspected of having killed his mother, aged 42, the day before, at the latter's home in Marles-les-Mines, near Béthune (Pas-de-Calais). The suspect was placed in custody "until Monday morning," said AFP Thierry Dran, the prosecutor of Bethune, before adding that an investigation for "murder" had been entrusted to the departmental security of Lens and the police station of Bethune. The young man is said to be suffering from schizophrenia.
The victim found dead in his bathtub
It all began Friday, September 22 at Bethune station, when two women met a 21-year-old man, an acquaintance, who told them he had killed his mother. He then announced that he wanted to go to Lille to commit another crime. Worried, the two women went to the Bethune police station to inform the police. It's not yet 22pm.
Arriving at the home of the individual's mother, the police discovered her dead, in her bathtub half filled with water, her hands tied and a plastic bag over her head.
The identity of the victim is quickly revealed by La Voix du Nord: it is Céline Lass, nail prosthetist. She had been living with her daughter in Marles-les-Mines (Pas-de-Calais) for less than two years, according to her neighbors. Her son did not seem to live with her: "I had never seen him," the neighbor of the deceased told the local newspaper.
Later on Friday night, the daughter of Céline Lass had in turn contacted the police station. The 18-year-old was due to be reunited with her mother at the end of her workday around 19 p.m. Without news, she ended up spending the night outside, before being able to call from a bakery, according to a police source consulted by Le Figaro.
A "wonderful", "loving", "sweet" woman
Since the announcement of her death, the emotional messages of Céline Lass's relatives rain down on social networks. This "formidable", "loving", "sweet" woman, "who had the joy of living" is missed by all. Less than a week earlier, birthday messages were ringing out: Céline Lass had just celebrated her 42nd birthday.
Passionate about beauty care, from nails to eyes, Céline Lass was also in charge of training. She regularly celebrated her students' success on social media, congratulating them on graduating and wishing them all the best for the future. A few months ago, she said: "I like to see others succeed and be happy. Life is a journey, not a competition."
