The investigation into the death of 17-year-old Louis Henri has entered another deeply emotional chapter after the mother of one of the teenagers charged in the case delivered a heartbreaking televised interview, saying she no longer recognizes the son she once raised.

Her emotional remarks have quickly spread across France, adding another layer of grief to a case that has already shaken the country and sparked widespread debate about youth violence and its devastating consequences.

The woman, identified by French media as 33-year-old Laëtitia, spoke publicly after her 17-year-old son, Matthias, was formally charged in connection with Louis Henri’s death. Matthias is one of five young people currently facing murder-related charges as prosecutors continue building their case.

The criminal proceedings remain ongoing, and all five defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a French court.

Louis Henri died after suffering critical injuries following an alleged group assault in the southern French city of Narbonne.

According to prosecutors, the teenager was allegedly lured to a construction site before being assaulted. Emergency responders rushed him to hospital, where doctors fought to save his life for several days before he later died from his injuries.