France’s ‘Husband from Hell’ Questioned in Unsolved Killings

Dominique Pélicot, whose sex crimes against his former wife horrified the world, is under renewed investigation for separate rape and murder cases dating back decades.

Newsweek has reached out to France’s Ministry of Justice for comment via email.

Why It Matters

Dominique Pélicot, 68, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for drugging his wife and allowing others to rape her for nearly a decade. He has been under formal investigation since October 2022 in connection with two separate cases involving women whose families have been waiting for justice since the 1990s.

Survivor Gisèle Pélicot became a heroine for the dignity and courage she showed when waiving anonymity to testify in public against her husband and the men who raped her, saying the perpetrators must bear the shame for their actions, not her.

What to Know

Dominique Pélicot was questioned on Thursday by an investigating magistrate specializing in unresolved cases. Authorities have been probing his possible involvement in the 1991 murder of Sophie Narme, a property agent killed in Paris, and the 1999 attempted armed rape of another property agent in Villeparisis, where police discovered traces of his DNA at the scene.

Dominique Pélicot has denied involvement in Narme’s killing but admitted to meeting the woman in the 1999 case, while rejecting accusations of attempted rape.

Cold Case Investigation Expands

Authorities grouped the two cases together in September 2022, assigning them to France’s specialized cold-case unit based in Nanterre, in the western suburbs of Paris. The unit, which focuses on serial crimes and difficult-to-solve cases, is now leading the probe into Pélicot’s possible involvement.

What People Are Saying

Florence Rault, lawyer representing the two victims said: “One has to remain cautious. Perhaps someone else committed the crime on Sophie Narme. But there are such similarities in the mode of operation, in the way the victims were approached—and the victims are so identical, too—that one can legitimately ask many questions.”

Béatrice Zavarro, Dominique Pélicot’s lawyer: “He says that he is totally unconnected with the events related to Sophie Narme.” However, Zavarro confirmed Pélicot’s contact with the Villeparisis property agent. “He acknowledged having been in contact with this young woman. His DNA is there, so there’s no issue there. He acknowledged having had an altercation with her, having tried to undress her, but with intentions different from attempted rape.”

What Happens Next

Pélicot is expected to continue cooperating with investigators, but his potential involvement in these crimes remains under review. The cold-case unit will assess whether he could be charged in connection with Narme’s murder and the 1999 rape attempt. If found guilty, his prison sentence could be extended.

The article includes reporting from The Associated Press