Son of Crans-Montana club owners removed from elite private school after New Year's Eve fire that killed 41

The tragedy at Le Constellation

On New Year's Eve 2025, a fire at the Le Constellation club in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed 41 people and injured more than 100. The club was run by Jacques Moretti, 49, and Jessica Moretti, 40, who are now under investigation. The disaster has left the Alpine resort community grappling with grief, anger, and questions about fire safety inspections.

Removal from the private school

Their four-year-old son had been enrolled in the preschool at Le Régent International School, an exclusive institution where annual fees range from 75,000 to 120,000 Swiss francs (roughly the same in euros). Swiss media report that the child is no longer allowed to attend. He has been transferred to a public school in Lens, the neighbouring commune where the family lives. The school's director, Bernd Westermeyer, declined to explain the decision.

Given the circumstances, I will not share any internal information.

Pressure from other parents

No official reason has been given, but local speculation, reported by Blick and other outlets, points to pressure from other families. They reportedly found it unacceptable that the Morettis continued to pay the steep tuition while, in their view, failing to provide financial support to the victims of the fire. Some reports also mention delays in the payment of school fees, though this has not been confirmed.

Accusations of collective punishment

The removal has drawn sharp criticism. Commentators and observers have called it a form of collective punishment, arguing that a four-year-old cannot be held responsible for the actions or alleged failings of his parents. Several have stressed that, in an already traumatic situation, educational continuity would have been pedagogically important for the child. The Moretti family has declined to comment on the matter.

Community leader expresses regret

In a separate interview with the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, the president of the Crans-Montana municipality, Nicolas Féraud, reflected on his own response to the disaster. He admitted that he had lacked humanity when it was most needed and regretted not offering an apology at the press conference on 6 January 2026. Féraud said he had avoided apologising at the time to avoid legal liability. He has since apologised repeatedly and outlined plans for a permanent memorial, a comprehensive security concept, and modernisation of local political structures.

I lacked humanity when so many people needed it.