NewsWorld newsCrimeThe child's lifeless body was found on the banks of the Vilaine river in the northwestern city of Rennes after a fisherman heard the cries of a child near the river05:38, 25 May 2026French police launched a murder investigation on Sunday after after a 12-year-old boy was found dead near a city centre with a towel tied around his neck, prosecutors said.‌The child's lifeless body was found on the banks of the Vilaine river in the northwestern city of Rennes, the local prosecutors’ office said in a statement. “The circumstances that led to the death have yet to be established,” but “the involvement of a third party is among the hypotheses”, it added.‌A fisherman heard the cries of a child near the river at around 4:40pm on Sunday. He immediately called emergency services and firefighters rushed to the scene at 4:50pm. But after desperate all efforts the young boy was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.‌The boy, who has not yet been formerly identified, had a wet towel tied very tightly around his neck.‌Police were at the scene on Sunday evening, carrying out examinations near a residential complex close to the river, an AFP journalist saw."It's a real shock. It's a quiet neighborhood, not far from the center. I've never been bothered," a local resident in her thirties, who declined to give her name, told AFP.Now the Organized and Specialized Crime Division of Rennes have opened a murder investigation into his tragic death.Article continues belowThis is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link. You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Murder trialCrime