France jogger death: Husband admits killing Alexia Daval

Jonathann Daval addressed crowds who attended a march for his wife in November

The husband of a jogger found dead in eastern France has admitted killing her "by mistake", his lawyers say.

The partially burnt body of Alexia Daval, 29, was discovered in woodland near the town of Gray last October. Her husband Jonathann Daval, a 34-year-old IT worker, was detained on Monday and denied being involved in her death.

Mr Daval's lawyer has told the press that he was not involved in the murder of his wife

However on Tuesday his lawyers said he had confessed but told police that he had not meant to kill his wife. He now faces murder charges.

Mr Daval, right, who wore his wedding jacket at his wife's funeral, was the last person to see her alive

"He said it was an accident and he is sorry" for what happened, lawyers Ornella Spatafora and Randall Schwerdorffer told AFP news agency.


Mr Daval could face life imprisonment if found guilty of murder. Investigators had earlier said they thought the death may have been the result of a "marital argument gone wrong".

The couple, who were having difficulties conceiving a child, were "experiencing strong tensions", sources had told French media.

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