The criminal investigation into the deadly fire at Le Constellation hotel in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which occurred on January 1, 2026, remains ongoing nearly 10 months after the tragedy. The blaze, which erupted during New Year’s celebrations, claimed 41 lives and left 115 others injured, many of them teenagers.

Authorities are conducting a broad and complex inquiry involving multiple suspects and plaintiffs, with the case expected to extend over several years due to its scope. Central to the investigation are Jacques and Jessica Moretti, the French couple who owned and managed the hotel. Jacques Moretti is scheduled to be questioned again as prosecutors continue to examine key aspects of the disaster, including compliance with fire safety regulations, the adequacy of emergency exits and safety equipment, and whether the couple was aware of the risks posed to their guests.

The investigation, led by public prosecutors in the Wallis canton, has unveiled certain lapses in safety protocols but left other questions unresolved. It has also brought to light Jacques Moretti’s criminal history, which includes a 2008 conviction in France and involvement in several other cases, such as fraud allegations, though he was not convicted in those instances. Additionally, a report from Switzerland’s Federal Office of Police indicated suspicions of money laundering connected to the Morettis, who own three properties in the Wallis region. Authorities described an “alleged criminal financial scheme” involving loans believed to have been obtained improperly.

Jacques Moretti has faced legal troubles beyond the fire investigation; he was detained in August on allegations of domestic violence against his wife and previously held in custody for two weeks in January as part of the ongoing probe.

While much of the spotlight has been on the Morettis, their defense lawyers, Yael Hayat and Nicola Meier, emphasize that the case implicates 15 other defendants, including eight current or former municipal officials and seven municipal employees. Among those charged is Crans-Montana’s mayor, Nicolas Feraud. The defendants face accusations of manslaughter, bodily harm, and arson by negligence.

Prosecutors are investigating whether local authorities and officials had prior knowledge of safety deficiencies and whether inspections and enforcement measures were adequately resourced. Particular attention is being given to renovations made to the hotel’s basement in 2015, as well as the validity of operating licenses and the safety protocols that were in place at the time of the fire.

The inquiry continues to seek clarity on the collective responsibilities and potential oversights that contributed to the catastrophic event, as the legal process moves forward.