Damien prepares for his eighth trip to Japan to continue the investigation and mobilize public opinion.
Meeting between Damien and Shiori Ito.
Damien meets journalist Shiori Ito at the premiere of her film "Black Box Diaries," a documentary that retraces the journalist's legal battle in Japan.
The family launches an international call for witnesses.
The call for witnesses is made in several languages.
The family hires the Zimeray & Finelle law firm.
The firm, specialized in international law, is renowned for handling cases related to Japan, including the Carlos Ghosn case.
Creation of the ANTRED association.
The association is dedicated to the families of French nationals who have disappeared or been victims of homicide abroad.
Damien speaks at the FCCJ in Tokyo.
Damien talks about Tiphaine's disappearance in front of the Western press in Japan.
While traveling in Japan, Damien meets the governor of Nikko Prefecture.
For the first time, a Japanese authority acknowledges and legitimizes the fight of Tiphaine's family.
A cold shower for Tiphaine's family following the publication of a story in Society magazine.
his is the only media setback for the family, which has had close ties with the press since the beginning of the case. Society magazine publishes a story about the investigation into Tiphaine's disappearance, inspired by the book "Tiphaine, where are you?" by Sibylle and Damien.
The mention "The investigation of the summer, Society reinvestigates" is misleading... Sibylle and Damien provided all the information and allowed the journalist to access their network (lawyers, investigators, witnesses, friends, etc.), making the creation of this story possible. The book is never cited, and several passages are used without crediting the source.
Even more concerning: the journalist disclosed information that was given to him off the record in Japan, which led to serious consequences.
The UN calls for the immediate implementation of measures to find Tiphaine.
It urges Japan to conduct the investigation, cooperate with the French police, and allow the family access to the case file.
3rd General Assembly of the "Unis pour Tiphaine" association.
Members of the association in Poitiers gather at the "Aux Bavardages" bookstore café in the presence of Lawyer Corinne Hermann, her associate Sonia Kanoun, and the family.
Claude and Patricia, the parents of Mathieu Martin, who disappeared in Argentina in August 2018, the same year as Tiphaine, travel to Poitiers to attend the General Assembly.
The "Cold Cases" division of Nanterre takes over Tiphaine's case!
Lawyer Corinne Hermann saves the case from a dismissal. The family successfully obtains the transfer of the investigation to the newly established division for unresolved and complex cases in Nanterre.
The French community in Tokyo organizes a meeting between Tiphaine's supporters in Japan and her brother and sister.
The evening, organized by the volunteers of Français du Monde, the Association of French Nationals Abroad, OLES Japan, and the Union of French Citizens Abroad, is hosted by Patrick Hochster and Sublime, leaders of Tiphaine's support group in Japan, and helps raise 122,000 yen for the association!
The sale of the book "Tiphaine, where are you?" is handled by the Tokyo bookstore "Les Chats Pitres."
Family’s new trip to Japan.
Damien and Sibylle finally travel to Nikko after three years of absence.
Field research, continuation of the investigation on-site, meetings with the Japanese police, and a call for help to Softbank... The family refuses to abandon Tiphaine, even as the French justice system threatens to close the investigation due to lack of judicial cooperation.
On-site, the family can rely on the help of interpreter Mirai Nakada.
The French Ambassador to Japan meets with Tiphaine's brother and sister, alongside the Consul of France in Tokyo.
The Tiphaine case discussed at the UN in Geneva.
Thanks to the commitment of Catherine Jane Fisher and the actions of her NGO, Damien is invited to speak at the Palais des Nations in Geneva during a session organized by the Human Rights Committee. Japan is summoned to report on its actions.
In her speech, Catherine Jane Fisher condemns the protection granted to American soldiers on Japanese soil, as well as the lack of criminal investigations for victims like Tiphaine.
Alerted by these revelations, several UN rapporteurs take up the case. They question Japan on the reasons for the absence of an investigation and demand that the real statistics of crimes committed in the country be disclosed.
Japan, the anti-#MeToo? Testimony from Catherine Jane Fisher in a live stream.
Human rights activist and two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Catherine Jane Fisher, shares her legal battle in Japan during a live stream session on the association's Facebook page.
A victim of sexual assault, Catherine Jane condemns a "barbaric" practice used by the Japanese police when filing a complaint: the "reconstruction of the rape." She explains how a secret agreement between the United States and Japan protected her attacker, an American soldier, for years.
The English-to-French translation is provided live by Maggie Bouyer.
The French specialist in "cold cases," Corinne Hermann, becomes the family's lawyer.
Launch of the "Justice for Tiphaine" petition.
On the day Tiphaine should have celebrated her birthday, Anne calls for people to sign a petition asking the French justice system not to abandon her daughter by closing her case.
Within a few weeks, the "Justice for Tiphaine" petition gathers over 37,000 signatures. It is now part of the legal proceedings.
Release of the book "Tiphaine, where are you?"
Written by Damien with his sister Sibylle, the book tells the story of the twists and turns of the investigation since the first day of Tiphaine's disappearance.
Robert Laffont Publishing, La Bête Noire collection, Les Ondes label.
The investigating judge announces her intention to pronounce a dismissal of charges.
In the case against X for arrest, kidnapping, sequestration, or arbitrary detention" in Japan, the judge informs the civil parties that the investigation "seems to be finished" to her, with no further explanation.
It is a shock for the family.
They run for Tiphaine!
With their "Unis Pour Tiphaine" shirts on their backs, about fifteen runners pushed themselves during the Poitiers half-marathon/marathon.
An initiative that inspired others. More runners, more races, took place elsewhere in France. A powerful energy full of hope.
Gathering in front of the Poitiers Court of Justice.
Supporters of Tiphaine’s search gather in front of the Poitiers Court of Justice to demand the continuation of the investigation.
Three years since Tiphaine's disappearance: artist REBEB creates a tribute mural in Poitiers.
Actress Fanny Ardant speaks out for Tiphaine.
In a video shared on social media, the actress calls for donations to fund a criminal investigation for Tiphaine.
The proof of a lie: The report of a hydrology expert disproves any passage of a typhoon through Nikko on July 28 and 29, 2018.
The family receives the conclusions of an expert appointed by the investigating judge at the request of their lawyer, Antoine Vey. The hydrologist is clear: no typhoon struck Nikko on Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29, 2018, the weekend of Tiphaine's disappearance.
A small seasonal storm caused rainfall from Saturday night to Sunday and a slight flood around 3 a.m. Normal conditions returned by the morning of July 29 (weather, river levels...).
This report, combined with official data from the Nikko River management office, the Daiyagawa dam, field research, photos found on social media, and the observation that bodies are regularly recovered from the river, excludes the theory of an accidental drowning favored by Japanese authorities.
During his visit for the Tokyo Olympics, Emmanuel Macron discusses the case with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
According to the Élysée, he requests "full cooperation from Japanese executive and judicial authorities." (source: AFP)
Charity sale for Tiphaine in Yokohama, Japan.
A pop-up store bringing together French and Japanese artisans and artists, alongside an online charity event organized by Nadia Boussouar of the Japan support group.
Artistic virtual event, in solidarity with Tiphaine.
Emma Peyran-Lanfranchi and the Event and Arts agency in Tokyo organize an auction of a photograph by Philippe Marinig, accompanied by readings from students of the French community in Japan and a performance by calligrapher Yukako Matsui.
Sublime, a French singer in Japan, organizes a night of reading for Tiphaine.
Private detective Jean-François Abgrall brings his expertise to understand the criminological context of Nikko.
He is notably known internationally for his role in the arrest of serial killer Francis Heaulme.
"Tiphaine, if you hear us"
Tiphaine's friends and family send her messages of love and support in videos posted on social media.
Elected officials and journalists also speak out to say that they haven't forgotten her.
Two years since Tiphaine's disappearance: comedian Elie Semoun launches a message on social media.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Damien and Sibylle's trip to Japan is canceled.
The purpose of this trip was to extend the on-site search at Lake Chuzenji and to hire a Japanese lawyer.
The family hires Antoine Vey as their new lawyer.
"The investigation must be conducted on multiple fronts, through the intervention of a private detective and by requesting the involvement of the Nikko police through the investigating judge assigned to the case."
First general meeting of the association in Poitiers.
Creation of the association Unis pour Tiphaine.
Women and young girls from the French community in Japan participate in the Yokohama Seaside Triathlon.
They are wearing T-shirts in support of Tiphaine's cause.
Organization of a flea market in Poitiers using items from the family and donations from individuals to raise funds.
The sales continued in a permanent flea market in the region until the end of November.
The captain of the French rugby team, Guilhem Guirado, offers his support to Tiphaine on the sidelines of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Phone tracking: Xavier Niel and the Free team help Tiphaine's family.
Desperate due to the lack of geolocation of Tiphaine's phone communications, the family writes to the CEO of Free, the operator of her phone, to understand the reasons for this blockage.
The Free teams mobilize, and the response is clear: there was an issue with Tiphaine's phone. It stopped working due to an abnormal cause between 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM on July 29, 2018.
Her phone was not put into airplane mode, nor turned off normally, nor did it run out of battery. NO: her phone was either broken, its battery was removed, submerged, or placed in a safe...
A new march is organized in Nikko with family supporters, on the first anniversary of Tiphaine's disappearance.
New trip of Anne and Damien to Japan.
Organization of an expedition with search and cadaver dogs from the Rescue Dogs company, near the tourist sites of Nikko.
President Emmanuel Macron speaks out about Tiphaine in front of the French community in Tokyo.
"I want to express my thoughts for our fellow citizen Tiphaine Véron, as well as for her parents and entire family (...) I spoke about it with Prime Minister Abe when he came to Paris a few months ago (...) It is a tragedy, but I want to say to her family and friends here that we will continue to do everything in our power and all that can be done to move forward."
Round trip of the Poitiers commissioner and a judicial police officer to retrieve elements of the Japanese case file requested by the investigating judge since October 2018.
Encouraged by the French judiciary, the family hires the specialist team Mountain Medic Events to search strategic areas of the Daiya and Kinu rivers.
On the initiative of a French student in Nikko, local Rotary members hand out flyers with Tiphaine's picture in the city's train stations.
Organization of a flea market by the French community in Tokyo to raise funds.
Family and friends of Tiphaine launch the campaign "Drawing for Titi."
A call is issued to graphic artists and illustrators to send drawings and create an artistic chain to raise awareness and keep the investigations going.
New trip of Damien and Sibylle to Japan.
Mobilization of the support committee, meeting with the police and the Embassy, and searches on the ground.
March in Poitiers organized for Tiphaine, with the Mayor of Poitiers (PS) Alain Clayes and the La REM deputy Sacha Houillé in attendance.
The family meet Alice Rufo, Asia advisor to the French Presidency.
Objective: facilitate cooperation between France and Japan.
The Nikko police organize a new and final search around the hotel and along the river, covering 5 km.
Sybille calls out to Emmanuel Macron and Shinzo Abe during the press conference at the Elysée Palace.
New trip of Damien to Japan
Intensive searches on the ground (forests, rivers, neighborhood).
Opening of an investigation in France for "kidnapping and unlawful detention."
The local police examine the room where Tiphaine stayed in Nikko using luminol, in the presence of the family.
The luminol reveals marks on the wall, witnessed by Damien.
No samples are collected on-site or sent for laboratory analysis.
The family manages to obtain Tiphaine's Google Maps data.
Tiphaine’s youngest brother manages to hack into her Google account and discovers that Tiphaine stayed at her hotel until 11:40 AM.
Family friends help them analyze the data. They confirm that Tiphaine stayed connected to the hotel’s Wi-Fi until 11:40 AM and obtain her entire browsing history from her Android device.
First meeting of the family with the police, in the presence of the French Embassy.
The police organize a search in a hiking area.
80 men are mobilized in the area of Kamangafuchi Abyss and around Mount Nakimushi.
The family is informed that a dismembered body has been recovered from a river.
Subsequently, through the local press, they will continue to learn about numerous similar cases in Nikko.
Damien, Sibylle and Stanislas, Tiphaine's siblings, arrive in Nikko.
Anne, Tiphaine’s mother, joins them a few days later.
The French Embassy in Japan informs the family.
The hotel owner informs the police.
Tiphaine didn’t check out of her room.
5 people confirm they saw Tiphaine at breakfast.
The owner says that she leaves the hotel around 10:00 AM.
Tiphaine arrives at Nikko train station early in the afternoon.
Tiphaine walks to the hotel, stopping regularly to take photos. She sends several images via WhatsApp to her family and friends and regrets not being able to visit the temples right upon her arrival. Tiphaine arrives at her hotel around 4:00 PM.