Detectives are reopening cold cases to further investigate the notorious ‘Monster of Avignon.’ Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2024 for aggravated rape, will be the primary focus of the fresh inquiry by a cold case unit looking into additional crimes spanning several decades. The Nanterre prosecutors’ office near Paris announced that the investigation aims to uncover potential additional victims linked to Pelicot’s criminal activities.
The trial of Pelicot caused a global outcry as it was revealed that he drugged his wife, Gisele, and orchestrated her rape by numerous individuals while she was unconscious. Gisele Pelicot, who bravely stepped forward to bring attention to the case, has become a prominent advocate for female survivors of sexual abuse in France. She emphasized the common struggle shared by victims in the aftermath of the sentencing.
The horrendous crimes against Gisele occurred between 2011 and 2020 at their family residence in Mazan, involving 72 different men, some of whom were acquainted with her. Out of the 51 men who faced trial, nearly all were found guilty of various sexual offenses against Gisele.
In addition to the ongoing investigation, Dominique Pelicot is also under scrutiny for two other serious offenses – the rape and murder of Sophie Narme, a real estate agent in Paris in 1991, and an attempted rape in Villeparisis in 1999. Pelicot has been under formal investigation for these crimes since October 2022, indicating substantial evidence pointing towards his involvement.
While Pelicot admitted partial responsibility in the 1999 case following the discovery of his DNA at the crime scene, he vehemently denies any connection to the 1991 rape and murder. Investigators noted striking similarities in the modus operandi of the two assaults, prompting speculation that the same perpetrator may be behind both incidents.
Attorney Florence Rault, representing Narme’s family and the victim of the 1999 attempted rape, highlighted numerous parallels between the two cases, suggesting a potential connection. Pelicot’s lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, stated that Pelicot denies having ever encountered Sophie Narme and explained his version of events in the 1999 incident, claiming his actions were misinterpreted.
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