Roppentzwiller, France – A tragic incident unfolded in the quiet village of Roppentzwiller near the borders of Switzerland and Germany, where a British woman and her partner were found dead in their apartment. Both had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, sparking a murder investigation that has led to the arrest of the woman’s estranged husband, a serving police officer.
The victims were identified as Alison Erb, 49, a British nursery manager, and her Italian companion, Loreto Di Salvatore, 51. Their bodies were discovered on May 25, 2023, by firefighters responding to reports of dogs barking incessantly in their building. Authorities found a small-caliber revolver at the scene, hinting at a violent altercation.
The suspect in the case, Olivier Erb, has been a part of the local police force in the nearby town of Wittenheim. After initially denying any involvement, Olivier Erb has since admitted to some degree of responsibility for the deaths of Alison and Loreto. He was officially charged in April and awaits judicial proceedings to determine the full scope of the charges he will face.
Olivier and Alison Erb were in the midst of divorce proceedings at the time of the killings. Alison had previously reported Olivier for verbal abuse and harassment, including malicious phone calls in 2020 and 2022. Despite a restraining order prohibiting him from visiting Alison’s residence or contacting her, the tragic event unfolded with brutal consequences.
Investigators pieced together the events leading to the deaths using surveillance footage from Alison’s apartment. The video captured a figure in black, donning a hood and gloves, entering the building shortly before the killings. Alison and Loreto were each shot three times; Loreto in the first floor of the apartment, and Alison upon her return to the flat, on the staircase.
The legal representatives for Alison’s family praised the efforts of the French legal system in investigating the case. They highlighted the dedication of both the investigating judge in Mulhouse and the regional gendarmerie in Strasbourg in their ongoing effort to clarify the details of this harrowing case.
Alison, originally from Norfolk, had moved to France in 1995. An accomplished nursery manager, she had been living and working in Switzerland prior to her death. Loreto, her partner, was in the process of building a home for the couple at the time of their untimely deaths.
The personal impact of the tragedy on Alison’s family is profound. Her sister, remaining anonymous, expressed her deep sorrow, emphasizing the close bond she shared with Alison. She described the emotional void left by her sister’s sudden and violent departure and recalled Alison’s compassionate nature, notably her care for her aunt during a terminal illness.
The family continues to receive support from local authorities, including a specially-trained liaison officer assigned by the Norfolk Police. As the legal proceedings progress, the community and Alison’s family seek closure and justice in the wake of a crime that has shattered lives both in France and the UK.