Detectives are reopening cold cases to investigate the notorious ‘Monster of Avignon’ once again. Dominique Pelicot, who was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2024 for aggravated rape, will be the subject of a renewed inquiry by a cold case unit to explore potential additional crimes dating back several decades. The Nanterre prosecutors’ office near Paris confirmed the initiative, aiming to uncover other potential victims linked to Pelicot’s past actions.
The trial of Pelicot caused a stir in France and garnered global attention after revelations that he drugged his wife, Gisele, and orchestrated her sexual assault by numerous strangers while she was unconscious. Gisele Pelicot, who bravely stepped forward to unveil her identity and raise awareness about her case, has emerged as a prominent advocate for female survivors of sexual abuse in France. Following the sentencing, she emphasized unity in the fight against such atrocities.
The assaults against Gisele occurred between 2011 and 2020 at their residence in Mazan, involving 72 individuals, some of whom were acquaintances. Out of the 51 men prosecuted, nearly all were found guilty of various sexual offenses against Gisèle.
Dominique Pelicot is also under investigation for two other incidents: the rape and murder of Sophie Narme, a real estate agent in Paris in 1991, and an attempted rape in Villeparisis in 1999. Authorities have been scrutinizing Pelicot for these crimes since October 2022, indicating substantial evidence against him.
While Pelicot partially confessed to the 1999 case following the discovery of his DNA at the scene, he vehemently denies any involvement in the 1991 rape and murder. Investigators have noted striking parallels in the modus operandi of both attacks.
Attorney Florence Rault, representing Narme’s family and the victim of the 1999 assault, highlighted significant resemblances between the two cases, hinting at a potential connection between them. Pelicot’s lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, clarified that Pelicot denies knowing Sophie Narme and explained his version of events in the 1999 incident.
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