“Jonathann is not a monster”: Jonathann Daval’s mother comes out of silence to defend her son

It’s a news item that hit the headlines in France, especially for its many twists. In October 2017, Jonathann Daval killed his partner, Alexia Daval, in their house located in Gray, in Haute-Saône. The partially charred body of the victim was found nearby on October 30, 2017, just two days after he was reported missing. In the weeks that followed, Jonathann Daval had publicly mourned the death of the one who shared his life alongside her in-laws. He had even participated in a silent march to honor the memory of Alexia Daval. Suspected by investigators, he was taken into custody.

If he first accused his brother-in-law of having committed the murder, citing the hypothesis of a family conspiracy, Jonathann Daval finally confessed to killing his wife, then attempted to set fire to his body. On November 21, 2020, he was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment, with no additional security period. Become the symbol of feminicides in France, Jonathann Daval can count on the support of his mother, Martine Henrywho came to her defense in a book to be published on Thursday November 17, 2022. As part of the promotion of this book, she gave a long interview to the JDD Sunday November 13, 2022.”My son, Jonathann, is not a monster, even if what he did is monstrous“, she said in particular.

Martine Henry on Jonathann Daval: “Jonathann is a good person who committed horror”

“Whatever he did, I will always be here. We don’t bring a child into the world to drop it when it needs us. It’s shocking, but Jonathann is a good person who committed the horror“, added the mother of Jonathann Daval. During this interview, Martine Henry explained why she decided to write this book. “Since the night of October 28-29, 2017, everything has been like a waking nightmare. As if nothing belonged to me anymore. Alexia’s family has spoken and that’s normal. I want to speak in my turn. To show that reality is always more complicated“, she pointed out.