Lyon, March 4, 2026 – A body, found burned on Tuesday morning in Ternay, near the Sérézin-du-Rhône train station, has sparked a major police investigation into a suspected execution. According to information obtained by Le Progrès, the victim is believed to be the leader of the “Jefe Mafia”, a criminal group that has recently drawn attention for its violent activities in the Lyon metropolitan area.
Discovery of a Burned Body and Ongoing Investigation
The lifeless and carbonized body was discovered at the border of Ternay and Sérézin-du-Rhône, approximately 20 minutes south-east of Lyon, near the train station on Chemin des Voyageurs. Gendarmes immediately secured the scene and began preliminary observations. The Lyon public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into murder by an organized gang, participation in a criminal association, and arbitrary arrest, kidnapping, detention, or sequestration committed by an organized gang. The investigations, entrusted to the DCOS, are actively continuing to determine the circumstances and motives of these acts and to identify the perpetrator(s).
Identity of the Victim and Circumstances of Death
The identity of the victim, a 26-year-old man reportedly well-known to police services, is yet to be officially confirmed through further investigations and technical examinations. A sinister message received by Le Progrès on Tuesday night claimed: “Two bullets in the head in Villeurbanne. The sole leader and mastermind of the Jefe Mafia executed one hour before the breaking of the fast [of Ramadan].” This message corresponds to the police’s current line of inquiry into a homicide that occurred on Monday evening.
The “Jefe Mafia”: A New Threat in Lyon
The “Jefe Mafia” (Spanish for ‘boss’ mafia) is a relatively new group that has recently gained notoriety among law enforcement. The group has extensively used social media to claim responsibility for various acts of intimidation, including setting fire to apartment building lobbies and residential doors. Their modus operandi typically involves a masked suspect pouring flammable liquid on a surface and setting it alight, while an accomplice films the act.
Recent Violent Acts Attributed to the Group
The group’s last claimed act of violence, also publicized through a video on social media, involved multiple gunshots fired at the facade of two restaurants near Part-Dieu during the night of Thursday, February 26, to Friday, February 27. These incidents have highlighted a growing concern for public safety and the rise of organized crime in the region.
Political and Social Impact
The escalating violence has become a significant issue, particularly in Villeurbanne, where recent shootings have impacted the end of the municipal election campaign. Local authorities and residents are increasingly concerned about the impact of these criminal activities on the community’s sense of security. The investigation is expected to shed more light on the motivations behind this latest act of violence and the broader operations of the “Jefe Mafia” in the Lyon metropolitan area.
Source: Le Progrès, Lyon Public Prosecutor’s Office
