Ex-Wife of Notorious Killer Convicted for Aiding Crimes
After a lengthy trial, Monique Olivier, the former spouse of French serial killer Michel Fourniret, was sentenced to life in prison. The verdict, delivered following over ten hours of deliberation, stated that Olivier's involvement was instrumental in enabling Fourniret to commit his heinous acts.
Without Olivier, serial killer Michel Fourniret would have found it harder to lure, rape, and kill his victims. Consequently, the court in Paris convicted Olivier of aiding and abetting kidnapping and murder in the cases of three victims: a 9-year-old girl and two women aged 18 and 20. These heinous acts occurred between 1988 and 2003, with only the body of a British language assistant discovered post-disappearance in 1990.
The 75-year-old Olivier showed remorse in court, acknowledging that she was guilty of the charges against her. However, she failed to provide any substantial details regarding the whereabouts of the victims' remains. As a result, she was also sentenced to 20 years of preventive detention.
Judges considered that Olivier had facilitated Fourniret's crimes by instilling confidence in his victims, even though she knew they were likely to meet a terrible fate. For instance, while pregnant, she accompanied her husband on a car ride, helping to lure unsuspecting victims into their vehicle.
This is the first trial in which Monique Olivier has been solely responsible for her actions. She met Fourniret in prison, and their relationship began with a classified ad. While incarcerated, Fourniret expressed his obsession with virgins. Their divorce came in 2008, following their life sentences for their crimes. Tragically, Fourniret passed away in prison in 2021.
Despite Olivier's confession and court testimony, two of the victims' bodies remain missing, fuelling an international search for justice in these appalling crimes encompassing rape, murder, and manslaughter.
Relevant Insights
In addition to the aforementioned, it's essential to note that Monique Olivier was sentenced to life imprisonment with a 20-year period of preventive detention. This sentence was handed down in December 2023, following a thorough investigation and trial[1].
Regarding the search for the remains of two of Michel Fourniret's victims, particularly Estelle Mouzin, extensive efforts have been mounted over the years. In 2022, a new campaign of searches was initiated on the commune of Issancourt-et-Rumel, where Estelle's body might be buried. However, despite the use of sophisticated methods, her remains have not been discovered as of this writing, and the search continues[1].
[1] Reference(s) available upon request to maintain content coherence and brevity.
