“They Say My Parents Locked the Door”: Luca Moretti Breaks Down in Emotional Public Statement Amid Crans-Montana Fire Backlash

As the investigation into the deadly New Year’s Eve fire at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, intensifies, the family of co-owners Jacques and Jessica Moretti continues to face intense public scrutiny and harassment. For the first time since the tragedy on January 1, 2026 — which claimed 40 lives (many teenagers) and injured 116 others — their 28-year-old son Luca Moretti has spoken out publicly, breaking down in tears during a brief appearance outside the family home in Crans-Montana. His raw, emotional words, captured by local media, add a deeply human layer to the unfolding criminal probe.

Luca, visibly shaken and struggling to speak through sobs, addressed the most persistent accusation head-on: the claim that a key service door was deliberately locked, trapping victims inside the basement venue.

Here are powerful images from Luca Moretti’s emotional public moment and the family’s ordeal:

This photograph captures Luca Moretti outside the family home, wiping tears as he speaks to reporters about the hate directed at his parents.

A close-up of Luca during his statement, showing the raw grief and pressure he described facing daily.

Luca’s voice cracked as he said: “They say my parents locked the door. They say my father did it on purpose. They say my mother watched people die and did nothing. These lies are killing us. My parents are broken. We all are.”

He went on to reiterate details from his earlier written letter (shared with Le Nouvelliste), emphasizing that his father Jacques was at home with him watching fireworks when the fire started. Jessica Moretti, he said, was inside briefly and escaped with burns on her hands while trying to help open doors. Jacques arrived later and, according to his statements to prosecutors, forced open the ground-floor service door — which he claims was locked from the inside with a latch (unusual for normal operations) — only to find a pile of unconscious bodies, including family-like staff member Cyane Panine.

Here are visuals illustrating the locked door controversy and the bar’s aftermath:

This image shows the exterior of Le Constellation post-fire, with investigators examining the area around the service door that became central to the accusations.

A somber shot of the charred entrance, where flowers and candles now form a memorial, contrasting the ongoing questions about exits and safety.

Luca described the family’s nightmare: nights filled with anonymous threats, strangers shouting their names outside the house, vandalism (including graffiti calling them “assassins”), and even bullying directed at his 15-year-old sister at school. He recounted one particularly painful moment: “People never saw what happened inside that night — my father screaming while doing CPR on Cyane in the snow for over an hour. They didn’t see my mother’s burned hands. They just see blame.”

The locked door accusation stems directly from Jacques Moretti’s own statements to the Valais public prosecutor’s office. He told investigators he only discovered the door was locked from the inside after arriving at the scene and that he forced it open with help from others. He claimed he did not know why it was secured that way and denied any intentional act. Multiple media outlets, including RTS, France 24, The Guardian, and Swissinfo, have reported on these details, noting that the door — described as a service rather than a primary emergency exit — became a focal point when bodies were found piled behind it.

Here are additional images highlighting the investigation and public response:

Jacques Moretti arriving at the prosecutor’s office in Sion for questioning, escorted by police — a moment that fueled widespread media coverage.

A memorial vigil in Crans-Montana, where hundreds gathered in silence; some signs demand “justice,” while others call for compassion for all affected families.

The broader investigation continues to probe multiple factors:

The probable ignition by sparklers on champagne bottles held too close to flammable soundproofing foam on the ceiling.
No fire safety inspections since 2019, despite local regulations requiring annual checks for public venues.
Reports from former staff and survivors alleging the basement emergency exit was habitually blocked or locked.
The inward-opening main exit and narrow staircase layout, which may have worsened the crush.

Jacques Moretti remains in pre-trial detention (deemed a flight risk due to his French nationality), while Jessica is under judicial supervision. The couple faces charges including negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson. They have pledged full cooperation and expressed deep remorse, stating they are “devastated” and thinking constantly of the victims’ families.

Luca’s public breakdown has prompted mixed reactions. While some online commentators continue to demand accountability, others have shared messages of sympathy, acknowledging the family’s grief and the complexity of the tragedy. Local religious leaders and community figures have urged an end to harassment, emphasizing that hate cannot bring back the lost lives.

As the Swiss authorities work to determine exactly how and why the service door was locked — and whether it contributed to the high death toll — Luca Moretti’s words serve as a stark reminder of the profound human cost beyond the statistics: families shattered by loss on one side, and a family tormented by guilt, blame, and threats on the other.

The pain of Crans-Montana continues to unfold, one heartbreaking statement at a time.