Dominique Pélicot, who was found guilty of drugging and raping his wife Gisèle Pélicot and inviting dozens to sexually assault her over the course of nearly ten years, is facing renewed questioning surrounding two other cases dating back to the 1990s. Reports indicate one case is related to the 1991 murder of real estate agent Sophie Narme, and the other pertains to the attempted rape of another agent in 1999.
According to the Associated Press, Dominique, now 72, maintains his innocence concerning the murder of Narme, who was killed on December 4, 1991. His lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, emphasized Dominique's denial of any involvement. Meanwhile, evidence shows he allegedly attempted to undress another realtor—known by the pseudonym Marion—in Villeparisis on May 11, 1999.
On December 19, 2022, the court delivered its verdict, convicting Dominique of aggravated rape against Gisèle, also 72, sentencing him to 20 years behind bars. The case has drawn significant public attention, prompting questions about older allegations against him. With each layer of scrutiny, Dominique has seen new investigations emerge about the chilling similarities connecting his actions.
During the trial, Dominique admitted to having tried to undress the agent from 1999 but refuted the claims of attempted rape. Incidentally, DNA evidence discovered blood on Marion's shoe tied back to him, according to additional reports from the BBC.
Formal investigations surrounding both the murder of Narme and the attempted rape allegations began as recently as October 2022. Reports suggest these cases are now being examined by specialized teams focusing on unsolved crimes and serial offenses.
Florence Rault, attorney for the victims, spoke about the unsettling parallels amid the various allegations against Dominique. "One has to remain cautious. Perhaps someone else committed the crime on Sophie Narme. But there are such similarities...in the way the victims were approached — and the victims are so identical...that one can legitimately ask many questions," Rault said, as reported by the AP.
According to the BBC, the infamous circumstances of Narme's death involved her being lured to a property viewing appointment by someone using a false name. That same strategy has been suggested as potentially used by Dominique against Marion.
Further evidence converges upon Dominique, as traces of the anesthetic ether were detected at both crime scenes—leaders bringing uneasiness and scrutiny to his past and approach when interacting with women. During his trial, Dominique openly confessed his guilt over the abuse and violence against Gisèle, declaring, "I am a rapist."
Although he has received considerable backlash for his crimes, he benefits from the presumption of innocence concerning the other allegations, Zavarro pointed out.
The horrifying revelations surrounding Gisèle's ordeal have elevated her voice to heroic status among advocates and victims of sexual violence everywhere. Unbeknownst to Gisèle, who was repeatedly victimized throughout their marriage, Dominique held deeply troubling secrets hidden within the troves of shocking material he possessed, including thousands of images and videos evidencing his misconduct.
The evidence first came to light when he was accused of filming up three women’s skirts at a supermarket, sparking police inquiries and leading to dreadful discoveries about Gisèle's abuse dating back to 2011. At trial, Dominique stood alongside 50 other defendants, all charged with serious offenses, including aggravated rape, sexual assault, and the production of child abuse imagery. The level of his actions has horrified not just the immediate community but society as a whole.
For those grappling with similar experiences, support is available through organizations like the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or online at rainn.org.