This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
On June 21-22, a music festival in Nantes descended into chaos as police used teargas to disperse revellers, with some allegedly being forced into the river.
Tragically, a body was found in the Loire River, not far from where Steve Maia Canico was last spotted during the event.
According to prosecutor Pierre Sennes, the body is in an advanced state of decomposition, and an autopsy will be performed as quickly as possible to confirm the identity.
Forensic experts will work to identify the body, which was discovered on an unspecified date, with the autopsy scheduled to take place on Tuesday.
Footage shared on social media showed the violent clashes between police and festival-goers, with 14 people being rescued from the water after the incident.
Canico's friends had been searching for him since his disappearance, and posters were put up around Nantes demanding 'Where is Steve?'.
On July 20, hundreds of protesters formed a human chain along the Loire River to observe a minute of silence for the missing man.
France's National Police Inspectorate has launched an investigation into the actions of the police in Nantes, amid concerns over their heavy-handed techniques.
There were also questions raised over why local authorities allowed the event to take place at an insecure riverside venue without a barrier.
