The U.K. and Royalists around the world celebrated the Royal Wedding, the U.S.A finally got “America’s most wanted” and Canada woke up from the federal elections with a hangover—Harper in a majority government, seriously?
Meanwhile, the headlines in France were all about a grisly case that took place in Nantes, my hometown.
In early April, an entire family disappeared—Xavier and Agnès Dupont de Ligonnès and their four children, Arthur (21), Thomas (18), Anne (16), and Benoit (13). The family has the “discreet charm of the bourgeoisie”, living in a townhouse in a posh neighbourhood. The parents are devout believers and the kids are given a relatively strict upbringing at the local Catholic school. The mother teaches kids the catechism in a local private school and the father is a businessman. An old noble family living an uneventful sheltered life, like many others in Nantes.
Except that this family suddenly disappeared mysteriously. Early April, the two young kids’ absence from school is justified by a letter from the father, stating that the family is moving to Australia. Agnès’ employer is told a similar story as she fails to show up for work. The extended family receives another version of that letter, this one explaining that Xavier, the father, was a US secret agent and had to enter the witness protection program.
Notified by close relatives worried about the family’s whereabouts, the police eventually entered the house in late April. Five bodies are quickly dug up—the mother and the four children. They were all shot dead and methodically buried in the yard. Even the family dogs were killed.
But the father’s body wasn’t found and he quickly became the number one suspect. The police then discovered that he spent the night in a hotel but lost his trace in Southern France.
Within hours, the quiet and amicable father of five becomes France’s most wanted fugitive.
The family’s execution seems clinical and methodically organized. Xavier did send letters explaining his wife and children’s absence from work, and the house is empty as if the family had moved. He recently became a member of s shooting club, practicing with a silencer. This is surprising for this kind of case—the execution was planned, and the killer didn’t just snap in a fit of rage or madness.
And little by little, as the investigation progresses, light is shed on the family’s secrets, buried under a respectable appearance. For instance, the couple’s financial situation was catastrophic—Xavier had spent his wife’s inheritance and had borrowed money from a lover in Paris, who was now demanding it back. The oldest son wasn’t his. Both Xavier and his wife were begging for help on various Internet forums—he shared his doubts about his Catholic faith while she was describing a failing marriage plagued by financial issues. The police still don’t understand how the family could afford its way of life considering Xavier wasn’t the successful businessman his relatives thought he was. The mystery is deepening a little bit more every day and leaves France captivated.
Three weeks later, Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès is still at large. The number one suspect is still innocent until proven guilty but his escape and the clues point to him. And France is still gripped by the hunt, betting on his motives and on the outcome of the case.
There was something suspicious about people from Nantes… now I get it! 😉
Oh trust me, compared to Argentineans we are quite normal 😉 😆
One of my all-time favourite movies (I never did get around to reading the book) was The Jackal from the 1970s. A real edge-of-your-seat cat and mouse game with the clever assassin and the equally intelligent police inspector always a mere step behind him. From what I gather from other sources French police are exceptionally competent (when compared to other countries’). What do you think? And how would they compare to, say, the RCMP? I know that, in France, criminal record checks are very fast to process and it seems the overall system is very streamlined, methodical, and efficient. One thing I like about police officers in Canada is that they inspire fear which is good. I’ve been to other countries (incl. U.S.) where you often see policemen clowning around or acting hokey.
Sorry it was “Day of the Jackal” from the 70s. The Jackal was the horrible remake.
I’ll check it out… thank you!
It’s funny because most French make fun of their police and the unefficient bureaucracy! I don’t think Canadian police inspire fear either but that may be just me. I noted it’s quite respected though… probably more than the U.S police. But to be honest, I never had to deal with it here (which is good I guess!).
What a terrible crime! I hope they catch that loser soon!
The worst killer that I have read about from France is Michel Fourniret. Blech!
Oh yes, this guy is really really creepy 🙁
I doubt they will catch him soon, he’s been on the run for a month now and I’m betting he is alive and well. Everything was extremely planned.
Oh wow… Incredibly sad but such an interesting read! Thanks for telling this story!
I’m usually not into creepy stories but I must admit this one is quite fascinating… probably because of the bourgeoisie setting. Plus these cases are fairly rare in France.
This is what happens when I stop watching the French news. Fascinating cases come to life! What a terrible situation. Hopefully they’ll find this guy.
You should read all the articles in French, it’s good practice! The Figaro has the best coverage so far even though I positively hate that right-wing newspaper.
Now this is NEWS! Creepy yet interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Creepy and fascinating… it really caught my eye!