Family dispute may have been cause of Alps shooting

French police investigating the murder of Saad al-Hilli, 50, his wife Iqbal, 47, and her mother, 77, in Alps on Thursday said that the murders were “professional” in their nature and may point to a contract killing.

“Family drama” may also be a possible motive behind the killing after police were informed by one of Hilli’s neighbours in Claygate, Surrey, that the husband was troubled prior to leaving on the family holiday.

Jack Saltman, 67, told police that Hilli, an Iraqi-born engineer, had confided in him giving him cause for concern. Saltman went on to contact the police with this information which he confirmed was not politically-related.

Police are also investigating the possibility that the Hillis were the victims of a carjacking or robbery that turned to murdered although nothing appeared to have been stolen from the murder scene.

The doors of the car were also still locked and the engine still running when a British cyclist discovered them.

The three victims, together with a French cyclist, were murdered in a ruthlessly efficient execution-style with a bullet to the head.

At least one automatic weapon was used to fire 15 spent bullet casings, all of which found their targets.

Zainab, the Hillis’ seven-year-old daughter, remains hospitalised and in a coma after being shot and battered while her four-year-old sister, Zeena, survived by hiding under her mother’s skirt in the passenger footwell of the car for around eight hours until she was discovered by police.

The police were informed about the two children by a holidaymaker at the Solitaire du Lac campsite by Lake Annecy where the Hillis had been staying in their caravan since Monday.