Since January 1980, no fewer than eight people disappeared from a triangular area of the Mourmelon region. Since 1980, the story had made headlines, embarrassing the judiciary, military and investigators. It was long denied by the military authorities, who claimed the disappearances were desertions. Several military conscripts vanished after hitchhiking while on leave. By 1990, at least seven had disappeared, five soldiers between 1980 and 1982, a civilian traveling to Mourmelon camp in 1985, and a soldier assigned to the 4th Dragoon Regiment in 1987. Adding to these disappearances were two bodies found near the camp: that of Olivier Donner, a 4th Dragoon Regiment of Mourmelon soldier who disappeared in 1982, who was recovered 31 October of the same year in a grove near Mailly-le-Camp, as well as the body of an Irish tourist, Trevor O'Keefe, found 8 August 1987 near Alaincourt in Aisne, the body half buried in a grove.