Jeoffrey Villaume (33) was missing since 27 June 2020, when he left for a hike in the Aiguilles Rouges.
After seven days of strenuous search missions, the PGHM of Chamonix found Jeoffrey's body.
The gendarmes had a difficult mission in locating the missing hiker, since the area where he disappeared was very large and difficult.
To cross the trails of Lac Blanc, Chéserys, La Flégère, the PGHM of Chamonix was helped by the mountain group of the gendarmerie, but also by firefighters, volunteers from aid societies, or even by a canine team Coming from Ambérieu-en-Bugey with a Saint-Hubert dog. Choucas drone and helicopter were also used. A call for witnesses was launched, but it also turned out to be unsuccessful.
Tracing Jeoffrey's route
To help the PGHM of Chamonix locate Jeoffrey, a judicial enquiry was opened. The enquiry gave the gendarmes access to Jeoffrey's bank account history and telephone requisitions.
By using Jeoffrey's phone and the data from his Google account, the gendarmes were able to obtain precise information on this route, thus tracing his journey.
He went to Lac Blanc, then branched off towards Lac de la Persévérance. There he left the trail and entered the foothills of the Aiguille de Tête Plate. It is during this last ascent when Jeoffrey unscrewed and most likely fell several tens of meters.
On 4 July 2020, in the morning, the gendarmes found Jeoffrey's body at 2,595 m (8,513 ft), buried in a sort of bergschrund, between the snowfield and the rock. Jeoffrey's death is directly linked to the fall.
Not equipped for climbing
The young victim lived in Saint-Jean-de-Tholome (Haute-Savoie) and worked in a clinic in Geneva. The gendarmes noted that he wore hiking shoes, which were not suitable for climbing, snowfields or steep slopes. No rope either. It seems that the young man wanted to get out of the hiking trails.
Once again, the PGHM of Chamonix calls for great caution in the mountains. Be well equipped, do not improvise and do not go alone.
Sources @Le Dauphine, France Bleu
