Dominique Pélicot, the convicted rapist who horrified France by drugging his then wife, Gisèle Pélicot, so other men could rape her, is now facing renewed scrutiny as he is questioned about two serious cold cases from the 1990s: the murder of Sophie Narme and the attempted armed rape of another woman. Sentenced to 20 years for the horrific sexual abuse of his ex-wife, Pélicot's past is coming back to haunt him as the investigation deepens.
On Thursday, Pélicot, 72, underwent questioning by investigating magistrates specializing in cold cases, as reported by his lawyer Béatrice Zavarro. The disturbing crimes he is now entangled with date back more than two decades, prompting fears about his criminal history. The murder of Sophie Narme occurred on December 4, 1991, when she was killed after meeting with someone posing under false pretenses to view property. The other case is unraveling from May 11, 1999, during which another property agent was attacked.
Currently under formal investigation, Pélicot has been implicated by investigators since October 2022, who state there is considerable evidence building against him. Zavarro confirmed Pélicot's cooperation, stating, "Mr Pélicot answered all the questions he was asked, cooperating like he has always done." Despite this cooperation, he adamantly denies any involvement in both the murder case and the attack on the other woman, maintaining he met her but did not attempt assault.
Lawyers involved, such as Florence Rault, representing Narme's family, have underscored the parallels between the cases, noting the victims shared similar profiles as young, female property agents. “One has to remain cautious...but there are such similarities...that one can legitimately ask many questions,” Rault expressed, hinting at the notion of potential serial offenses.
Sophie Narme's brutal murder not only shocked France but, after years, the unresolved nature of the case has spurred renewed interest, with cold case units now actively pursuing any leads. Investigators are delving deep, examining forensic evidence from both crime scenes. Notably, traces of ether—an anesthetic historically known to render victims unconscious—were found associated with both cases, which could strengthen the assertions of similarity.
While Pelicot acknowledges some connection with the 1999 assault victim, he attempts to downplay its severity by saying, "It was 'indeed me,'...I took off her T-shirt, her shoes and her trousers but I didn't do anything." Such assertions raise alarming questions about his motivations and intent during his crimes.
The narrative has grown more complex with geographical relevance, detailing how Pelicot’s crimes unfolded across regions—from the heart of Paris to the suburbs, demonstrating patterns of predation. This wider scope raises concerns about other possible unidentified victims who have yet to come forward.
Perhaps the most tragic insight is offered by Caroline Darian, Pélicot's daughter, who strongly believes her father's conduct imprisoned not just his victims, but her as well. “He should die in prison...he was a dangerous man,” she commented, signifying the psychological toll his actions have had even on those related to him.
Under prior evidence, Dominique Pélicot has continually demonstrated predatorial psychological traits. After being implicated for drugging and facilitating the serial rapes of his wife over nearly ten years from 2011 to 2020, his conviction sent shockwaves throughout France and ignited conversations about consent and abuse. Evidence procured during his trial depicted shocking videos and thousands of categorized images depicting the abuse of his ex-wife.
With such grotesque revelations, every day brings renewed fear about the extent of Dominique Pélicot's criminality, casting shadows over his long history of violence and manipulation against vulnerable women. The continuing investigations symbolize hope for justice for victims like Sophie Narme and the survivor of the Villeparisis attack.
Authorities are now showing increased urgency to resolve these cold cases, aware of the potential series of horrors they may reveal. His current questioning suggests he has not yet escaped the consequences of his sordid past, and as hearings continue, the haunting specter of his history becomes ever more present, both to the victims' families and the public at large.