Criminal Investigation
Last update: February 18, 2026
4 persons now charged: the Moretti couple + current and former municipal fire safety officers. Jacques Moretti released on bail (CHF 200,000) on January 23. Civil party hearings ongoing (February).
Prosecution Team
The investigation is led by a team of four prosecutors:
| Lead | Catherine Seppey, Deputy Attorney General |
| Communications | Béatrice Pilloud, Attorney General |
| Team | + 2 prosecutors from Central Office |
Source: Valais Public Prosecutor's Office, January 6, 2026.
Charges Filed
The two French managers of "Le Constellation" bar are charged with:
- Negligent homicide (art. 117 Swiss Criminal Code)
- Negligent bodily harm (art. 125 Swiss Criminal Code)
- Negligent arson (art. 222 Swiss Criminal Code)
Source: Valais Public Prosecutor's Office, January 3, 2026.
Detention and Release on Bail
January 9 — Jacques Moretti placed in pretrial detention (flight risk, French nationality). Jessica Moretti remains free.
January 12 — Compulsory Measures Court confirms detention for 3 months.
January 23 — Released on bail
Jacques Moretti released after payment of CHF 200,000 bail, funded by a Geneva businessman. Alternative measures imposed on both spouses.
The release sparked outrage among victims' families.
Sources: RTS, Le Temps, France Info, January 2026.
Investigation Expanded (January 29)
4 persons now charged
The Public Prosecutor expanded the criminal investigation to include two municipal fire safety officials:
- Former fire safety officer — woodcutter by training, only 10 days of fire safety training total
- Current fire safety officer — former car salesman, failed the fire safety exam before taking office (2024)
Both cited insufficient resources for fire inspections.
Legal experts suggest responsibility could extend to the cantonal level.
Sources: RTS, France Info, February 2026.
Civil Party Hearings (February)
February 11-12 — Jacques then Jessica Moretti questioned in Sion (Energypolis) by civil parties' lawyers.
The couple was confronted aggressively by victims' relatives at the entrance to the building.
Sources: RTS, Le Matin, La Libre, February 2026.
Manager Profiles
Jacques Moretti (49) — From Ghisonaccia (Corsica, France)
- 2008: convicted in Annecy for "aggravated procuring" (12 months)
- 2010: convicted in Bastia for housing benefit fraud
Jessica Moretti (39) — From the French Riviera, no criminal record.
Sources: France Info, 20 Minutes, Corse-Matin.
Municipality as Complainant
Crans-Montana joins as complainant in the criminal proceedings.
Unanimous decision by the municipal council (January 4, 2026).
Victims' lawyers contest this move
Several lawyers, including Me Romain Jordan and Me Sébastien Fanti, oppose this decision:
- "The municipality has no standing as complainant since it was not harmed"
- "The municipality seeking to present itself as a victim is unacceptable"
- "This attempt must be rejected forcefully and without delay"
Valais Bar President Gonzague Vouilloz said he was "surprised by both the timing and appropriateness."
Sources: Le Temps, 20 Minutes, January 7, 2026.
Criminal Complaint Against Municipality
Criminal complaint filed against municipal officials
A complaint was filed with the Valais Public Prosecutor's Office for:
- Negligent homicide
- Negligent serious bodily harm
- Negligent arson
Grievances cited: tolerance of unauthorized pyrotechnics, insufficient inspections, flammable materials, inadequate escape routes.
Source: CNews, January 6, 2026.
International Investigations
France — Mirror Investigation
Paris Prosecutor's Office — opened January 5, 2026
"Mirror investigation" assigned to OCRVP (Central Office for Combating Violence Against Persons).
- Purpose: support French families (9 deaths, 21 injured)
- Nature: "extended hand," no trial planned in France
- Cooperation: immediate response to Swiss mutual assistance requests
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau: "Swiss authorities remain solely competent for determining responsibility."
Italy — Rome Prosecutor's Office
Rome Prosecutor's Office — opened January 8, 2026
Investigation for omicidio colposo (involuntary manslaughter) and arson.
- Italian victims: 6 deaths (all minors 15-17), 14 injured
- Autopsies ordered on Italian victims (not performed in Switzerland)
- Delegation: Milan, Bologna, Genoa prosecutors
Italian Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado will meet Prosecutor Pilloud on January 12.
Sources: France Info, ANSA, Il Fatto Quotidiano.
Failures Revealed
No bar inspection since 2019
The municipality acknowledges "failure in periodic inspections from 2020 to 2025."
Nicolas Féraud, President: "We bitterly regret this."
Note: Establishments must be inspected annually under cantonal regulations.
Insufficient safety equipment
- Probably no fire alarm
- Only one fire extinguisher in the establishment
- Ceiling acoustic foam never specifically inspected
Main Hypothesis
According to investigation findings:
- "Fountains" — pyrotechnic devices on champagne bottles
- Ceiling contact — flammable acoustic foam
- Flashover — rapid generalized ignition
Damaging video (New Year's Eve 2019)
A server warns customers: "Watch out for the foam!"
Concerns about material quality were raised as early as the 2015 renovation.
Measures Taken
- Pyrotechnic fountains banned in all enclosed spaces in the municipality
- External audit of all public establishments commissioned
- La Petite Maison (second Moretti establishment) closed immediately
- PPI 2026 revision (Swiss fire safety standards) suspended for review
Municipality's Position
Nicolas Féraud (President) refused to resign:
"You don't abandon ship in stormy waters."
Stéphane Ganzer (cantonal minister):
"What I see are failures. And failures should not happen in a country like ours."
Investigation Resources
| Cantonal police | ~40 officers + ~40 investigators |
| DVI specialists | ~40 experts from across Switzerland |
| Fedpol | International liaison |
| Zurich Forensic Institute | Fire expertise |
What This Means
"Charged" does not mean "guilty."
A criminal investigation has been opened to determine responsibilities. The individuals concerned are presumed innocent until a potential verdict.