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Prince Albert of Monaco’s cousin has been found dead after leaving a nightclub — while a 42-year-old Ukrainian man has been charged in connection with the royal relative’s death.
Antoine De Massy’s body was discovered Sunday in a park along Boulevard du Larvotto, in Monaco’s upscale Larvotto district, after his family alerted authorities when they were unable to reach him.
De Massy, 29, was allegedly seen leaving a nightclub Sunday night, staggering and leaning on a man for support, according to Le Parisien.
According to an autopsy, de Massy likely died after “a fall from a height of 13 meters,” Monaco Prosecutor General Stéphane Thibault told Agence France-Presse Wednesday.
A Ukrainian national, who has lived in Monaco for 30 years, was arrested and charged Wednesday with involuntary manslaughter and failure to assist a person in danger.
The suspect, who has not been identified, denied the allegations during police questioning before appearing before an investigating judge, whom he refused to answer, Thibault said. He was subsequently remanded in custody.
The charges do not allege that de Massy was intentionally killed, and the suspect is presumed innocent.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding de Massy’s death to establish “the precise sequence of events that led to [his] fall,” Thibault said.
A memorial has since appeared near the scene of his death, featuring flowers, candles, a Monaco flag and tennis balls in tribute to de Massy’s passion for the sport.
De Massy was the son of Baron Christian de Massy, Prince Albert’s first cousin, and Cécile Gelabale. His grandmother, Princess Antoinette, was the elder sister of Prince Rainier III and Prince Albert’s aunt.
The prince, 68, and his wife, Princess Charlène, 48, confirmed the family tragedy in a statement released by the Prince’s Palace on Monday.
“Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène were saddened to learn of the death of Antoine de Massy, aged 29, the grandson of Princess Antoinette, the elder sister of Prince Rainier III,” the statement read.
“A keen tennis player, he was part of a family history closely linked to the sport in the Principality. Their Highnesses share in the grief of his family and loved ones and offer them their sincere condolences at this painful time,” it added.
De Massy followed in the footsteps of his paternal grandfather, Alexandre-Athenase Noghes, an international tennis player, and had hoped to represent Monaco at the Olympics.
Prince Albert has faced his share of controversies over the years, including a paternity scandal involving two children born outside his marriage and allegations of cheating.
Albert has also faced scrutiny over leaked financial records from former palace accountant Claude Palmero, which detailed lavish spending, secret payments and alleged surveillance within the royal household.
