A 42-year-old man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and failure to assist a person in danger following the death of Antoine de Massy, Prince Albert II’s first cousin once removed, whose body was found in Monaco on Sunday evening.
The Ukrainian national, who has lived in Monaco for 30 years, was brought before an investigating judge on Wednesday 28th October and remanded in custody.
Monaco’s prosecutor general, Stéphane Thibault, said the man had denied the allegations during police questioning and had not wished to answer the investigating judge’s questions at that stage.
The charges concern alleged “acts that may have been committed at different times”, Thibault said in a statement issued at 1.30pm on Wednesday.
The charges do not allege an intentional killing.
Investigation to establish what led to the fall
A formal judicial investigation has now been opened, placing the continuing inquiries under the authority of an investigating judge.
Its purpose will be to establish “the precise sequence of events that led to Antoine de Massy’s fall”, Thibault said, through questioning of the accused, analysis and technical investigations.
The statement does not explain how the fall occurred or specify what actions the suspect is alleged to have taken.
Family raised the alarm on Sunday
Antoine, 29, was found dead on Sunday 25th October in a park below Boulevard du Larvotto after his family alerted the authorities and Monaco’s Public Security service began searching for him.
With the circumstances unexplained, police initially opened an investigation to establish the cause of death.
The inquiry then established that a man had approached Antoine while he was still alongside Boulevard du Larvotto. Investigators changed the procedural framework so they could identify the man and question him in custody.
He was arrested on Monday morning. His detention was subsequently extended by 24 hours while police conducted interviews and technical inquiries.
Wednesday’s announcement marks a significant development in the case, with the man now formally charged and detained while the investigating judge establishes the circumstances of the death.
Palace expresses sadness
Antoine was the son of Baron Christian de Massy, Prince Albert’s first cousin, and Cécile Gelabale. His grandmother, Princess Antoinette, was Prince Rainier III’s elder sister and Prince Albert’s aunt.
In a communiqué issued on Monday, the Prince’s Palace said Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène had learned of his death “with sadness”.
“Passionate about tennis, he was part of a family history closely linked to the sport in the Principality,” the Palace said. “Their Highnesses share in the grief of his family and loved ones and extend their sincere condolences at this painful time.”
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Image of Antoine de Massy taken from his Instagram page