On February 4, 2025, André Cermolacce, infamously known as ‘Gros Dédé,’ was shot dead outside his business located in the 14th arrondissement of Marseille. This brazen daylight execution has sent shockwaves through the local community, stirring memories of the violent past associated with Marseille's notorious criminal underworld.
Cermolacce, who was 70 years old at the time of his death, was targeted with three shots to the head from an automatic pistol. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the suspect fleeing the scene on a scooter, leaving the esteemed gangster lying lifeless outside his business. Emergency responders confirmed upon arrival at the scene, he was already in cardiac arrest and pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
This murder is not just another statistic; it marks the end of an era for the old-school gangsters of Marseille. Cermolacce had deep roots within the city's bandit scene, previously condemned multiple times for his involvement in various illicit activities, including the illegal gambling rackets tied to slot machines. His last significant sentence came in 2016, where he received 30 months of prison time, of which six months were to be served behind bars.
Gilles Tachon, a retired officer from the narcotics unit of Marseille, spoke to BFMTV about the nature of Cermolacce, saying, “He was like the last of the old-style criminals.” Reflecting on their last encounter just two weeks prior to the murder, Tachon revealed insight, stating, “He had settled down and was living legally for several years,” indicating a shift from his historically overtly criminal lifestyle.
While Cermolacce had long been seen as one of the frightful figures within Marseille’s organized crime circles, his recent move toward legality suggested attempts at reform, or at the very least, survival. He had recently ventured out of crime, operating as a beverage wholesaler, supplying local bars across the region. But those attempts to shed his notorious past apparently were not enough to shield him from being targeted again.
The history of violence surrounding Cermolacce is not new. He had survived previous attempts on his life; one particularly notable incident took place back in 2004 when he was the target of another assassination attempt. Such events exemplify the perilous and unpredictable nature of the criminal world he inhabited.
The murder continues to draw extensive media coverage as authorities launch an investigation categorized under organized crime. The Marseille public prosecutor’s office has opened up inquiries focusing on potential motives and the people involved. The incident has alarmed many, reigniting fears of violent crime linked to organized syndicates within the city.
Community members who knew Cermolacce expressed mixed reactions to his death. While many view him as a criminal, others recall his contributions to local culture. His presence as part of the colorful criminal narrative of Marseille, filled with stories of violence, loyalty, and survival, leaves behind layered opinions. For many, he was both feared and respected, embodying the archetype of the classic gangster.
Initial investigations are underway, with police delving deep to give closure to this high-profile murder. The hope is to untangle the complicated web of crime linked to such figures and prevent future occurrences of such brazen acts of violence.
André Cermolacce’s murder serves as yet another chapter in the tumultuous history of Marseille’s nightlife, echoes of the underworld still haunting the streets he once ruled. His life and death encapsulate the enduring narrative of power, crime, and survival within the city's ever-evolving gangster ecosystem.