A new investigation is set to reopen cold cases involving the ‘Monster of Avignon’, as revealed today.
Dominique Pelicot, who received a 20-year prison sentence in 2024 for aggravated rape, will be the primary focus of an extended examination by a specialized unit looking into historical crimes. The investigation aims to uncover additional potential victims as announced by the Nanterre prosecutors’ office close to Paris .
The trial of Pelicot caused a stir across France and made global headlines after it was revealed that he had drugged his wife, Gisele, and organized multiple individuals to assault her while she was unconscious.
Gisele Pelicot, who chose to reveal her identity to raise awareness, has emerged as a prominent advocate for survivors of sexual abuse in the nation, emphasizing solidarity in the fight against such atrocities.
The assaults on her occurred from 2011 to 2020 at their residence in the town of Mazan, involving 72 different men, some of whom were acquaintances. Out of the 51 men who faced trial, nearly all were convicted of various sexual offenses against Gisèle.
Dominique Pelicot is under investigation for two additional crimes – the rape and murder of Sophie Narme, a real estate agent in Paris in 1991, and an attempted rape in Villeparisis in 1999.
Since October 2022, he has been formally investigated for both cases, indicating substantial evidence against him.
While Pelicot partially admitted involvement in the 1999 case due to DNA evidence, he denies any connection to the 1991 rape and murder, with investigators noting similarities in the execution of both crimes.
Lawyer Florence Rault, representing Narme’s family and the attempted rape victim, highlighted commonalities between the two cases, suggesting a potential link between the two incidents.
Pelicot’s attorney, Beatrice Zavarro, stated that the accused denied any knowledge of Sophie Narme and claimed a different intent in the 1999 altercation, distinct from attempted rape.
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