French authorities have launched a murder investigation following the discovery of a 12-year-old boy's body near the Vilaine river in Rennes. Prosecutors reported that the child was found with a towel tightly bound around his neck, raising suspicions of foul play. A fisherman alerted emergency services after hearing cries from the riverbank around 4:40 PM on Sunday, but despite immediate efforts by firefighters, the boy was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival. The police are currently examining the area near a residential complex close to the river as part of their investigation. Local residents expressed shock at the incident, describing the neighborhood as typically quiet and safe. The Organized and Specialized Crime Division is now tasked with uncovering the circumstances surrounding the boy's tragic death and determining if a third party was involved.