Brit Alison Erb and her partner were fatally shot in France by her husband, a police officer, amidst divorce proceedings.
Olivier Erb, Alison’s husband, worked as a police officer. He was arrested after Alison’s death and charged with murder. He now faces trial for it. Neighbors heard something and called for help.
Responders broke into the flat and found Alison and Loreto dead inside. Both had three gunshot wounds. A small gun lay near them. Police quickly arrested Olivier, Alison’s husband. They had to release him at first because there was no clear evidence against him back then. He admitted knowing about the couple but denied killing them.
Alison and Olivier were divorcing, reports say. Olivier had faced prior abuse and harassment claims related to his wife. CCTV showed a suspect wearing black, gloves, and a hood. The suspect entered the flat on the murder day, back in 2023, and tried hiding their face.
French police investigated extensively, charging Olivier with the double murder of his wife and her lover. Olivier was arrested this year in April 2024. Details emerged recently due to French law. The police spoke to many people and checked lots of video footage, which helped them track the suspect.
Olivier is currently in prison, a high-security jail close to Strasbourg. His trial should occur later in the year. Alison managed a nursery before she died. She and Loreto shared a flat above the town hall.
Alison’s sister spoke to a local paper, saying she was heartbroken by her sister’s death and that they were very close. Alison and her sister talked almost every day. Alison also spoke often with her aunt, who was like a mother. Alison cared for her aunt until her death, nursing her through cancer.
Her sister can’t believe Alison is gone. She said Loreto wanted to marry Alison and tried very hard to protect her. He also did everything he could to make her happy. She called their relationship “true love.”
Lawyers for Alison’s family thanked police and were impressed with the investigation quality. They thought both magistrates and gendarmes worked hard and helped determine the circumstances of death. Norfolk Police are helping Alison’s family, assigning a special officer to help. Roppentzwiller is in northeastern France where Loreto Di Salvatore lived with Alison.