The Principality of Monaco is in mourning following the discovery of the body of Antoine de Massy, a member of the Princely Family and a relative of Prince Albert II. The 29-year-old was found dead in a green space located behind Villa Sauber along Boulevard du Larvotto on Sunday afternoon.
Antoine de Massy was the son of Baron Christian de Massy and Cécile Gelabale. He was the grandson of Princess Antoinette, the elder sister of the late Prince Rainier III, making him a second cousin to the current sovereign, Prince Albert II.
According to reports from the principality, the alarm was raised on Sunday morning when de Massy failed to appear for a scheduled family lunch. A relative, concerned by his unexplained absence, contacted the Sûreté publique (Monaco’s police force). Following a search, the young man’s body was located several hours later in a garden area adjacent to the Larvotto district.
Monaco’s Prosecutor General confirmed that a formal investigation into the cause of death has been launched. Initial efforts focused on reviewing video surveillance footage from the vicinity of Boulevard du Larvotto. This review allowed investigators to identify a person who was present near the site around the time of the incident.
Following this identification, the legal framework of the investigation was shifted to allow for an arrest. One individual was taken into custody on Monday morning and is currently being questioned at the Sûreté publique headquarters. Authorities have not yet determined the nature of the individual’s involvement, noting that they may be a witness rather than a suspect.
Investigators are currently exploring several possibilities, including an accidental fall, the intervention of a third party, or the potential failure to assist a person in danger. No official cause of death has been confirmed at this stage.
By Monday morning, the area where the body was found remained cordoned off by police. Access to the garden and a nearby footbridge overlooking the expressway was prohibited as forensic teams and investigators continued their work on-site. The Princely Family has not issued a formal statement, but condolences have been widely shared across the principality for the loss of the young family member.
