The property is located in Erstroff, a small village less than an hour’s drive from Saarbrücken, Germany.

It was sold in 2023 and the new owners began renovations.

Mr Glady said they searched for the source of the leak in the roof but “skeletal remains” were found inside a small hole.

Police are now investigating the cause of death and the body has been sent to Strasbourg for autopsy.

The results could put an end to the mystery of Aloïs Iffly’s disappearance, which has remained unsolved for 15 years despite extensive search attempts, Le Republicain Lorrain reported.