The family of Marion Hermier is now offering a monetary reward to anyone with new, relevant, and reliable information that can lead to the discovery of the 26-year-old.
Speaking to Dominica News Online (DNO), the parents of the French national, Fanny and Alain Hermier, who are currently back on the island following an initial trip in March and April, say they will not rest until their family receives the necessary closure.
They note that a few credible testimonies have enabled them to retrace their daughter’s path until February 6, but there are no indicators after that date.
“Everything leads us to believe that something went wrong for her on the island since she would have made contact before the end of February if she had had the means to do so,” they said. “Since no trace of Marion has been found in this abundant nature, we cannot neglect the possibility of a bad encounter.”
On February 4, 2023, the France national arrived in Dominica, with the audacious objective of completing the Waitukubuli National Trail, a 115-mile trek through mountains, streams, and rainforests.
It was a personal quest that the adrenaline junkie wanted to complete in 15 to 20 days, according to friends and relatives.
“It was the end of her backpacking and hitchhiking trip in the Caribbean islands, and she was supposed to return to France in early March to resume her job,” her sister Maya Hermier has stated.
“Marion told me that she planned to complete the Waitukubuli trek in two weeks and that this trek was the perfect physical challenge for her to challenge herself while discovering the beautiful island of Dominica,” Maya added. “She was well-equipped for the hike and planned to sleep in a hammock along the trail.”
But, since her sister embarked on her solo journey and arrived on the island via a French-registered vessel, her friends and family have not received a single word from her, raising multiple alarm bells for her loved ones.
“Marion has always kept me well-informed since the beginning of her trip, usually every 3-4 days. My sister and I are very close and share a strong bond. So if she were okay today, she would have found a way to get in touch with me,” Maya revealed.
She continued, “She trusted me and before she left, she asked me to alert authorities if I thought she was in trouble. Not hearing from her means there’s a problem and she needs help!”
Her friend Benjamin Barthelemi, who describes Hermier as “level-headed” has also expressed similar worry, and is currently conducting his own search on the island.
“She doesn’t put herself in danger. Although she’s very adventurous, she’s also a very very cautious person,” he said.
He highlighted that, according to their most recent conversation, she had advised him to proceed and contact the authorities if he had not heard from her by day 20. Taxi driver Phillip Jolly claims that on February 6, he gave Marion and an unknown white male a ride to the Copthall junction because the two claimed they were going to walk the route together.
Her parents have expressed their gratitude to Dominicans and French officials for their assistance over the last three months.
“Even though the concrete official actions took a long time to organize, we are grateful that cooperation was able to be established, notably for the latest expedition on May 12, 13, and 14, together with the French gendarmes, Dominican police officers, firemen, and guides, approximately fifty experienced men, assisted by a helicopter from Guadeloupe,”
they said.
The public is encouraged to keep an eye out for anyone who resembles the French national, who is claimed to have a small crescent moon tattoo on her forehead. According to the family, the reward will only be given after Marion is found. Should you have any new information, the family can be contacted via telephone number 1 (767) 276-8345 or email at [email protected].
Too many people disappearing in DA. Something bad is going on. Check Soufriere.