Camille Shaeffer, his wife Amelie, two young sons plus two staff were found murdered at his hotel in Diego Suarez, Madagascar on the 11th August.


Currently the last hours of their lives remains a mystery, but I was very touched by him and his wife during my stay at his idyllic retreat and I wanted to write an entry on my blog dedicated to them and their memory .


I wrote blog 51 about my experiences of staying with them at Les Filibustiers. They had just recently purchased the property on the north side of the immense bay opposite the city of Diego Suarez. Camille was an engaging man full of vision and excitement for his new challenge. He had recently met Amelie and together they set about transforming the place.


It was quiet, removed and idyllic and I was at first the only guest but soon I was joined by Ann Marie from Durban, whom I had met in Tana.


Camille and I immediately hit it off. He was also a diabetic, but suffered from type one and his other love in life was wine. He had shipped his entire cellar from Alsace to Diego Suarez and was in the process of drinking all of it with Amelie. He was intrigued I had given up and we spent most evenings debating the merits of alcohol, French wine and various regions.


In the end I was sad to leave, but always felt like this was a place I would eventually return too.


I was very sad to learn of his death and those of his wife, children and his lovely staff. This is a most appalling tragedy and my condolences go to his family and friends and his wife’s family in Madagascar.


He was buried in Alsace in his home town in September, but I understand no one is any closer to understanding what has happened. A friend of his from Alsace contacted me through trip advisor to inform me that pirates are believed responsible.


I very hope that the people responsible are brought to justice.


Camile and family RIP.