The family of French woman Tiphaine Véron, who disappeared seven years ago while visiting Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, has commissioned a Swiss company to analyze her phone’s location data. The findings revealed she never left her hotel before vanishing, yet her location signal ended in an unnatural interruption.
Seven Years Since Tiphaine Véron’s Disappearance
This year marks the seventh anniversary of Véron’s disappearance. Her brother Damien returned to Nikko City to appeal for new information and clues from the public.
Damien expressed his grief, saying: “Thinking about my sister makes me very sad. I hope she is still alive somewhere.”
Timeline of the Disappearance
On the morning of July 29, 2018, Véron had breakfast at her hotel in Nikko around 8:30 a.m. Eyewitnesses reported she left the hotel at 10 a.m., leaving her luggage behind, and then vanished without a trace.
Police have deployed more than 10,000 personnel in the search for Véron, but she remains missing. Her mobile phone also disappeared, prompting her family to seek expert analysis of her Google account location data.
Swiss Company Analysis of Phone Data
The Swiss firm’s analysis revealed detailed movements before her disappearance. Red dots marked her location, with flashing dots showing her phone’s activity.
On July 28, Véron arrived in Nikko, took photos of local sights, and shared them with her family. Later that evening, she left her hotel around 7:30 p.m. to visit a convenience store and a bank, returning at 9:41 p.m. Surveillance footage confirmed her presence at the store.
On the morning of July 29, location data showed her moving from her room to the hotel’s breakfast area. At 11:15 a.m., she searched for accommodations in Iwate Prefecture, her next planned destination. At 11:40 a.m., she opened Google Maps inside the hotel. Shortly after, her location signal vanished.
Experts Highlight “Abnormal Power Disconnection”
Experts noted the phone’s location data ended in an unnatural way. Paul Olivier Duet, a specialist from the Swiss firm, explained: “Her phone did not log out of the network, which is not a normal shutdown. It may have fallen into water, been crushed, or suffered damage.”
Japanese Investigators’ Position
Japanese authorities stated: “There is no evidence suggesting criminal intent, and it cannot be determined whether this was an incident or an accident.”
Key Takeaways
- French tourist Tiphaine Véron disappeared in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, in 2018.
- Her phone’s location data ended with an unnatural interruption.
- Swiss experts highlighted abnormal power disconnection as a possible cause.
- Despite extensive police searches, her whereabouts remain unknown.
- Family continues to appeal for clues seven years later.
