The village of Roppentzwiller, located near the borders of Switzerland and Germany, became the scene of a brutal crime on May 25, 2023.
Alison Erb, a 49-year-old British nursery manager originally from Norfolk, and her partner Loreto Di Salvatore, 51, were found shot dead in their home. The shocking crime sent waves of grief through the community and left their loved ones devastated.
The person accused of committing this heinous act was Alison’s estranged husband, Olivier Erb, a serving police officer from the nearby town of Wittenheim.
Despite initially denying involvement, he later admitted to his “liability” in the killings. A small-caliber revolver was found at the crime scene, which further implicated him in the crime. His indictment in April set the stage for a French judge to determine the specific charges he would face.
Alison and Olivier Erb were in the process of finalizing their divorce when the tragedy occurred. Reports suggest that Erb had been previously investigated for harassing and verbally abusing Alison, with cases filed against him in 2020 and 2022.
Read : Luz Jessica Gonzalez-Estrella Arrested After Her Infant Found Dead in a Trash Can
At the time of her murder, he was legally prohibited from visiting her home or contacting her. Both Alison and Loreto had expressed concerns about Olivier Erb’s behavior, but those fears tragically became reality when their lives were cut short in an act of violence that stunned the village.
A Love Story Cut Short by Violence
Alison Erb had spent most of her adult life in France after moving there in 1995 to work as a nanny. She eventually married Olivier Erb, and the couple had three children together—two daughters, aged 26 and 15, and a 27-year-old son. However, their marriage deteriorated, and by the time of her death, Alison was seeking to rebuild her life with Loreto Di Salvatore.
Loreto, who was in the process of constructing a home for them to share, was described as being deeply in love with Alison. Her family stated that he had been desperate to marry her and provide her with the happiness she deserved.
The couple had been renting a flat in Roppentzwiller while they waited for their dream home to be completed. But before they could begin their new life together, they became victims of a crime fueled by jealousy and unresolved bitterness.
On the day of the murder, a surveillance camera at the property recorded chilling footage. Alison was seen leaving her apartment, only for an unidentified figure dressed in black, wearing gloves and a hood, to enter shortly afterward.
Loreto was killed first on the first floor of their home. Just eight minutes later, Alison returned and was fatally shot on the stairs. The figure was then seen escaping through a skylight window. The brutal efficiency of the crime pointed toward a planned execution rather than a spontaneous act of violence.
Grief and the Pursuit of Justice
The deaths of Alison Erb and Loreto Di Salvatore left a deep impact on their loved ones, particularly Alison’s sister, who described her as having a “huge heart” and being a source of love and support for her family.
She expressed her heartbreak, saying, “I have never felt more alone. Ali and I would talk almost every day. She took care of her aunt and nursed her back to health when she was suffering from cancer. I still can’t believe such a kind and beautiful soul has been stolen from the world.”
French authorities launched an intensive investigation into the killings. Firefighters discovered the bodies after neighbors became concerned about persistent barking from the couple’s dogs.
The police, upon reviewing the surveillance footage and examining the crime scene, quickly identified Olivier Erb as the prime suspect. His eventual admission of “liability” removed any lingering doubts about his involvement, but the legal process continues as the French judiciary deliberates over the appropriate charges against him.
French legal representatives for Alison’s family praised the dedicated work of the investigating magistrate in Mulhouse and the Strasbourg Gendarmerie. They emphasized their commitment to seeking justice for Alison and Loreto, ensuring that their deaths would not be in vain.
In the wake of the tragedy, Alison’s family in Norfolk received support from law enforcement agencies back home. Norfolk Police confirmed that a specially trained family liaison officer had been assigned to assist them during this difficult time.
The tragic end to Alison and Loreto’s love story has left an unfillable void in the lives of those who cherished them, but their family remains determined to honor their memories by seeking justice.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏