- A New Year's Eve fire at Le Constellation in Crans-Montana killed 40 people and injured 119, authorities reported.
- Manager Jessica Moretti is accused of fleeing the burning bar carrying the cash register while patrons tried to escape.
- Prosecutors are investigating Jessica and owner Jacques Moretti for manslaughter and allegedly destroying evidence after the blaze.
- Investigators say the club's Facebook and Instagram pages were suspended between 3:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on New Year's Day.
- Officials say Le Constellation had not undergone an official safety inspection since 2019 despite operating as a packed nightclub.
CRANS-MONTANA, SWITZERLAND — Jessica Moretti, the manager of a Swiss resort bar where 40 people died in a New Year’s Eve fire, is accused of fleeing the scene with the cash register while patrons struggled to escape. She and her husband, Jacques Moretti, are now under investigation for manslaughter and allegedly destroying evidence in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Manager Allegedly Prioritized Cash Over Safety
Witnesses claim that as flames engulfed Le Constellation, Jessica Moretti, 40, was seen carrying the night's earnings out of the burning building rather than assisting terrified partygoers. The fire, which reportedly started when sparklers on champagne bottles ignited the ceiling, left 40 people dead and another 119 with severe burns.
Owners Accused of Wiping Social Media
Investigators are probing allegations that the couple deliberately destroyed evidence by scrubbing the nightclub's digital footprint while rescue operations were still underway. Romain Jordan, a lawyer representing the victims, stated that the club's Facebook and Instagram accounts were suspended between 3:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on New Year's Day.
Jordan argues that the removal of these pages, which contained videos of the packed party, indicates that "security concerns came to the managers’ minds straightaway."
Caption: Footage shows fire spreading on the ceiling of Le Constellation on New Year’s Day.
Criminal Past and Flight Risk
Jacques Moretti, 49, defended the club's safety record, claiming it had been inspected regularly. However, officials revealed the bar had not undergone a safety inspection since 2019. Reports from French and Belgian media indicate Jacques has a significant criminal history, including convictions for pimping, kidnapping, and fraud.
Lawyers for the victims have criticized prosecutors for not detaining the couple, expressing fear that they may flee to France to avoid trial.
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