Man Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter Over Death of Prince Albert's Cousin

A 42-year-old Ukrainian resident of Monaco has been charged with involuntary manslaughter over the death of Antoine de Massy, 29, a first cousin once removed of Prince Albert of Monaco. Involuntary manslaughter means causing a death without intending to, and it is a separate offence from murder. The man has also been charged with failing to assist a person in danger.

De Massy was found dead on Sunday in a park below Boulevard du Larvotto, a seafront road in Monte Carlo. His family raised the alarm when he missed a family lunch, and they alerted the authorities. He is believed to have fallen about 13 feet into a garden in the park, according to Hello! Magazine.

Before his death, De Massy had left Sass' Cafe, a club in Monaco. Footage shows the charged man leaving the same club alongside him at 3 a.m., the same report says. Investigators have not published further details of what happened between the two men after they left.

Monaco's prosecutor general, Stephane Thibault, said the charged man had been remanded in custody. Remand means a suspect is held in prison while the case continues. Thibault said the man refused to answer questions. Under Monaco's legal process, the case now moves through the courts.

Reuters reported earlier this week that authorities had detained a man in connection with the death. The charge followed that detention.

De Massy was the son of Cecile Gelabale and Christian de Massy. His grandmother was Princess Antoinette, the elder sister of Prince Rainier III, Prince Albert's father. That places him within the wider princely family, though he held no public role in the principality's government or household.

The family's public statements, if any, have not been reported. The case remains at an early stage, and the charge is a formal accusation that has yet to be tested in court.