French couple shocked to find grave of son thought to be alive

Melbourne, Aug 21 (ANI): A couple in France, who were attending a family burial, were horrified when they stumbled across the grave of the son they thought to be alive and well.

According to local newspaper La Voix du Nord, Josiane Vermeersch and Elie Langlet were at Hellemmes cemetery near Lille in northern France on August 18 for the funeral of Elie Langlet's brother.

As they left the cemetery, a family member noticed a new headstone in an area reserved for paupers' graves, which read, "Olivier Langlet, 1968-2010", the Herald Sun reported.

When the couple checked with the local undertakers, it was confirmed that it was indeed their son, who lived less than a mile away.

He had been found dead from natural causes at his home in July.

The family had attempted to contact the 42-year-old, specifically about his uncle's funeral, but heard nothing back and assumed he had either gone away or was still brooding about a minor argument.

French authorities are now investigating why police and funeral staff failed to inform the family of his death. (ANI)