MARCEL PETIOT: FRENCH SERIAL KILLER

Article BY Karla Macey

---

On Jan 17th 1897, in Auxerre, France a new baby boy entered the world.  Given the name Marcle Andre Henri Felix Petiot there is no doubt that his mother had no idea she had just given birth to a future serial killer who's horrific exploits later on in life would earn him chilling nick names such as the demonic ogre and Dr Satan.

After his death in 1946 previous neighbors of Petiot would tell stories of a strange young boy who took pleasure in torturing animals then killing them, however there is no way of knowing if this was true or simply fabricated stories told by people who wanted to jump on the band wagon and get paid for their tales.

Reports from his childhood indicated that he was very intelligent but lazy and a loner with a short attention span and lack of interest.  He was constantly getting into trouble from a young age throughout his school days with antics such as shocking and disgusting his fellow class mates with vulgar photos which he found highly amusing to pass around the classroom.  He found joy in seeing the shock and upset of others.

Petiot displayed early signs of violence when at the tender age of just 11 he stole his father's revolver and fired it off in class.  As and normal human beings would be the Petiots were extremely worried, these kind of incidents were not your average school boy pranks and were indeed quite frightening for all involved.

He was taken to the doctors, his parents distraught, explaining to the Dr how he was prone to convulsions and sleep walking, he was also still bed wetting. 

Sadly in 1912 Petiot's mother passed away.  His father found new employment away from Auxerre.  Petiot took residence with an aunt for a short while until his bad behavior and expulsion from school forced her to send him back to his father.  The pattern of expulsion was to carry on numerous times.  Not surprisingly, Marcel's nasty streak continued to grow and evolved into criminal behavior.  He was 17 years old when he robbed a post box which resulted in him being charged with mail theft and damaging public property.

At his court hearing for this offense it was suggested that he would benefit from a psychological evaluation.  So on 26th March 1914 he was described as 'an abnormal youth suffering from personal and hereditary problems which limit to a degree his responsibility for his acts'  The charges were then dropped as the judge declared him as mentally ill.

After a string of problems with his school behavior he completed his education in July 1915.  In Jan 1916 he joined the French Infantry.  Petiot showed many symptoms of mental illness which led to him spending time in numerous clinics.

He was jailed in Orleans at one point when caught stealing army blankets he was then transferred to a psychiatric ward at Fleury-Les-Aubrais.  He was diagnosed with 'mental disequilibrium, neurasthenia, mental depression and phobias.'  Due to these findings he once again got found not guilty of the crime.  He did, however return to the Infantry in June 1918, he hadn't been back long when he became ill with a mental nervous breakdown and he shot himself in the foot. 

Petiot suffered badly with convulsions which left him unconscious for long period, this resulted in him being given a three week sick break, but then he started serving with a new regiment in Sept 1918.

He had to seek yet more psychiatric treatment the following year due to crippling headaches and strange behaviour.  On top of this was memory loss, sleep walking (as he had experienced as a child), depression and suicidal thoughts.  This all proved too much for military work and he was medically discharged with a 40% disability pension in July this got bumped up to 100% after a review in Sept 1920, in the review it was strongly advised that Petiot should be taken into an asylum.

Petiots path of fate was to lead him to an asylum but not, as suggested as a patient.  Thanks to an education program catering for war veterans he completed medical school im a mere 8 months and landed himself with a 2year psychiatric internship in Evreux.  He proudly received his medical degree on 15th Dec 1921.

Moving to Villeneurre-Sur-Yonne he decided to get himself recognized.  He made up fliers advertising himself saying 'Dr Petiot is young and only a young doctor can keep up to date on the latest methods born of a progress which marches with giant strides.  This is why intelligent patients have confidence in him.  Dr Petiot treats but does not exploit his patients.'

Hypocritically exploit them was exactly what he did.  He secretly enrolled them for state medical assistance so that he got paid twice for each treatment.   He was prescribing happy with addictive narcotics.  He was once confronted by a pharmacist about a fatal dose prescribed to a child.  He bluntly fired back with a harsh statement.  "What difference does it make to you anyway?  Isn't it better to do away with this kid who's not doing anything in the world but pestering it's mother."

In the social aspect of his life Petiot was a loner by choice, he had a habit of turning everyday friendly chit-chat into controversial debates always ensuring that he won and had the last word.  As well as his many mental disorders he was a kleptomaniac no-one being safe from his urges he would steal from anyone.  Whenever threatened or confronted with legal action he simply shrugged and told the accuser that a certified lunatic could not and would not be jailed.

In July 1923 his disability pension was slashed to 50% after a series of checks and exams.

In 1926 Petiot struck up an affair with Louise Delaveau  who was the daughter of one of his patients.  Not long into the affair her house was broken into and set alight.  Louise vanished in May 1926 and fingers immediately pointed to Petiot, witnesses saying they saw him loading a large trunk into his car.  The trunk was the same as one found in a river weeks later filled with the dismembered, decomposed corpse of a young woman who was never identified and remained a Jane Doe.  Even with the sightings of Petiot and the trunk and the fact that he had been having an affair with Louise, Petiot was never even questioned and police brushed her off as a runaway.  It is believed she was possibly and very likely to have been his first victim.  Not showing any care or thought for the missing Louise, Petiot instead put his efforts into running for mayor. 

He hired an accomplice to cut the power of the building while his opponent tried to speak.  He won.  Un be known to Villeneure-Sur-Yonne they had just voted a genuine psychopath to be in charge.  Opinion was widely divided, loved and praised by some, whilst hated by others.  The proverbial marmite!

His addiction to stealing didn't die down in fact he was accused of stealing from the towns treasury, a drum from a local band and bizarrely a large stone cross.

June 1927 saw wedding bells as Petiot met and married Georgette Lablais, he also became a father the year after to a son, Gerhardt.

Early 1930's saw Petiot jailed for three months for committing fraud.  He was suspended from his position as mayor which he successfully appealed.

Tragedy struck in March 1930 at the home of Armand Debaure, a fire arose in his home and inside lay the body of his poor wife Henriette, beaten to death. It was assumed to be a robbery as F20,000 was missing.  However the rumor mill soon started with people claiming that Henriette had been having a sexual affair with Dr Petiot, and some witnesses said he had been spotted near her home around the time of the crime.  Unfortunately one of the witnesses who had agreed to testify with the information made the mistake of visiting Petiot with a medical complaint.  Coincidentally after an injection administered by Petiot he died hours later.

  Months passed and many complaints were filed against Petiot.  For the second time he was suspended in Aug 1931, he resigned of his own will the next day.

  He won an election as the youngest of 34 general Councilors from the Yonne district.  Just like during his time as mayor he managed to ruffle feathers and cause trouble.  He was sentenced to jail for theft in Aug 1932 and had a fine of F300, with an appeal he got the sentence suspended and fine reduced.  This cost him his seat. 

Keeping up appearances Petiot had everyone fooled that he was a highly qualified, experienced and trust worthy doctor.  The shiny brass plaque displayed outside of his home/surgery was full of fake information, someone complained and it had to be taken away.  Dr Petiot built up an enormous patient list and was very popular amongst them.  In years to come 2,000 patients were interviewed about him and not one would have a bad word to say.

An ever expanding criminal record grew with charges of theft, fraud, assaulting a police officer and over prescribing narcotics.  There was a brief stay for him in a private hospitl whuch was arranged for him by his ever worried wife.  Things settled down for Petiot for a while after this bar constant tax avoidance. 

The world was thrown into misery and chaos with the start of world war 2, however for Petiot it was to bring schemes and opportunities as France saw themselves defeated by the Germans.
 
Unfortunately for many innocent people Petiots latest idea was to be tragic and deadly for anyone who had the misfortune to find themselves involved.  It started with giving false medical certificates to french men.  While treating them he listened, questioned and stored information about Nazi troop movements and developments.  His tall tales once again started escaping his lying tongue, boasting how he'd made secret weapons that killed off Nazis leaving no evidence.  He told of anti-fascist groups he was part of, which, unsurprisingly were never found.  They were just pure fantasies of a warped mind.

Soon he turned his attention to potential fugitives, desperate for escape such as Jews, resistance fighters and petty criminals.  Charging F25,000 a head for an escape route, Petiot wasn't prejudiced against who he helped.  People were lured in with promises of a safe journey to South America complete with all the necessary travel documents and vaccinations.  All inclusive deal! 
 
He purchased a house, 21 Rue Le Sueur to aid himself with his plans

Joseph Reocreux and his mistress Claudia Chamoux were among the  first to be dazzled by Petiots seemingly fantastic offer along with another naive pair Francois Albertini and Annette Basset.  They paid their fee and entered the house full of excitement and hope.  Adriene Estebeteguy and Gisele Rossny followed in March 1943.

Word of Petiot and his services saw many others seek him out.  Including Nelly-Denise Hotin, Dr Paul-Leon Braunberger, three German Jews, the Knellers, the Wolff family with six friends, Joseph Piereschi and his mistress Josephine-Aimee Grippay.  These were just a few of the victims who were able to be identified.  Sadly some remains that were found including dismembered parts were never identified.
 
Petiots didn't try and conceal his services infact he advertised them quite openly, leaving his network (Fly-Tox) open to being discovered.  An informer Charles Beretta had managed to get in with the group and gave names, dates and information to the Gestapo
 
In May the Nazis struck and arrested members Raoul Fournier, Edmond Pintard and Rene-Gustare Nezondet, all being tortured into spilling the beans, revealing Marcel Petiot as 'Dr Eugene.'
 
Petiot was carted off to prison.  His home was searched but by some mishap Rue Le Sueur house was not.  Nezondet was released but the others remained locked up for a further eight months.  All of them received beatings but would not give away any information.  The Nazis had no choice but to release them in 1944.
 
On March 6th 1944 neighbors were woken to terrible smelling smoke, thick and black steaming out of 21 Rue Le Sueur.  Days passed and the rancid smell still laced the air.  Fed up a neighbour who'd lost his patience thought enough was enough and decided to complain on March 11th.  There was no answer at the door, but there was a note reading 'Away for one month forward mail to 18 Rue Des Lomabards, Auxerre.' 
 
Puzzled the neighbor called the police.  Other neighbors told how the house belonged to Dr Marcel Petiot and gave an address of 66 Rue Caumartin.  Some recalled visits to the house including horse and carts and trucks.
 
Calling Dr Petiot at his other address he asked them not to enter and claimed her would be at the property within the next 15 minutes.  There was still no sign of him half hour later so the fire services were contacted.
 
What they found shocked them to the core, human body parts, dismembered and piles of human bones.  To say the scene was grisly would be an understatement. 
 
Petiot finally arrived and explained the ghastly scene to be dead Germans, traitors to the country.  He sprouted his claims of being head of a resistance group.  Astonishingly the police believed his story and allowed him to leave, thinking him a hero who had helped the country. 
 
More searches at the property took place.  There were large quantities of quick lime ixed with human remains.  Georges-Victor Massu took on the case.  He made notes of there being large sinks, soundproof chambers and chains attached to the walls with peepholes in the door.  At 1.30am he received a telegram from Paris police saying 'Arrest Petiot.  Dangerous lunatic.' 
 
Police were reluctant, still convinced he was the countries hero.  When the did actually arrive Petiot was long gone, no sign of him or his family.  It soon came out about his arrest which sparked a manhunt. 
 
Petiot meanwhile had, with the help of some of his adoring patients been hopping from house to house.  He grew a beard as a disguise and adopted many different characters.  He settled for a while with Georges Redoute who he told that he was being sought after for killing Germans. 
 
In Aug 1944 Petiot took on the character of Henri Valeri and joined the new French Forces of the interior.  In typical Petiot style he wangled himself the position of Captain. 
 
Back to Rue Le Suere and more human remains were being discovered.  Chief coroner Albert Paul told how the estimated number of ten victims was vastly inferior to the actual number.  As well as bones and body parts which were identified there was also 33lbs of charred bones, 24 lbs of unburned fragments, 11lbs of human hair, ten whole scalp, and three cans filled with tiny pieces that were unidentifiable

The oldest victim was believed to be a 50 year old man, and the youngest a 25 year old woman.  Each and everyone had approached Petiot in desperation believing he was the saviour to their terrifying situations. 

At his apartment there was chloroform, strychnine, and other various poisons.

Petiots long run of luck finally ran out at 10.15am on Oct 31st when he was spotted and arrested at a metro station.  During his search the police found him to be in possession of F31,700, 50 documents with six different names.

From the offset Petiot declared innocence, calling the killings justified as they were enemies of France.  He claimed the bodies must've been killed and dumped by his Fly-Tox network, adding he had asked his brother to provide him with quick lime in order to dispose of the bodies. 
 
Death row at Sante prison became Petiot's new home while authorities investigated further.  There was no evidence of the Resistance groups he so passionately spoke of.  His stories were dismissed as lies and finally Petiot was rightly charged with murder for profit.
 
On March 18th 1946 his trial began.  12 civil lawyers were hired and paid for by relatives of the victims, desperate for justice.  Petiot being the cantankerous character that he was enjoyed playing part of his own defense and taking center stage.  He argued with judges, questioned the witnesses and even claimed some of the victims were still alive. 
 
He tried to paint the victims out to be Germans/enemies/traitors who deserved to die.  He couldn't explain why items were found at his home and insulted the judge by rudely saying "I am listening, but it doesn't really interest me very much."
 
Petiot's attorney tried seeking a mistrial after hearing 2 jurors and a judge badmouthing him, this was rejected.  Petiot admitted killing 19 of the 27 victims, still claiming they were all Germans and collaborators.  After just 3 hours of jury discussion Petiot was found guilty.  He was acquitted of killing Nelly-Denise but found guilty of the 26 other killings. 
 
Being told he would receive the death sentence Petiot remained eerily calm and unaffected.  The conviction was appealed but was rejected.  During a search guards found an ampoule in his uniform, it was a sedative he had managed to smuggle in.
 
The first date set for his execution had to be postponed as the guillotine wasn't working.  The second date was re arranged for 25th May.  Petiot refused the traditional glass of rum offered but did accept a cigarette.  His wife wanted him to meet with the prison chaplain, which he did but only to please her.  "I am not a religious man and my conscience is clean."
 
In his final moments his hands were bound, his neck shaved, and collar cut from his shirt.  Still keeping a cool and calm aura about him he moved towards the guillotine.  His last spoken words were "Gentlemen, I ask you not to look, this will not be pretty."
 
5.05am the blade was dropped and Petiot's life was ended.  Witnesses say he had a smile on his face as his head fell into the basket.