The arrest of the owner of a Swiss bar involved in a fatal fire on New Year’s Eve has raised concerns about his potential flight risk. Jacques Moretti, 49, and his wife Jessica are now under investigation for criminal manslaughter after a tragic incident at Switzerland’s Crans-Montana ski resort. The fire, which erupted as celebrants welcomed the new year in 2026, reportedly started due to sparklers placed in champagne bottles.
The blaze at Le Constellation bar claimed the lives of about 40 individuals, with 119 others sustaining severe burns. The Morettis are facing charges of manslaughter by negligence, bodily harm by negligence, and arson by negligence. Reports suggest that the bar manager has a history of criminal convictions, including involvement in pimping cases and other illegal activities.
According to legal sources, Mr. Moretti has been linked to various criminal activities over the years, including cases of aggravated pimping and fraud. Despite denying some charges, he has faced imprisonment and legal troubles in France and Switzerland. The couple, originally from Corsica, reportedly relocated to Switzerland due to Jacques’ troubled past and opened the upscale bar in Crans-Montana in 2015.
The ongoing investigation is focusing on the circumstances surrounding the fire, which experts believe may have been caused by flammable materials in the bar’s basement. Questions have arisen about fire safety measures at the establishment, as authorities admitted to not conducting inspections since 2019. The couple also owns other businesses, including a burger bar and a restaurant.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, the Morettis are closely monitored by authorities, with Jessica required to check in with the police regularly and wear an electronic tag. In a public statement, Jacques expressed deep distress over the tragic event and emphasized their cooperation with the investigation. The authorities are scrutinizing the bar’s safety protocols, emergency exits, and overall occupancy as part of the ongoing probe into the incident.