Monique Olivier, 75, has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in the abduction, rape, and murder of two young women and the kidnapping of a nine-year-old girl. The trial took place in France, where Olivier faced charges for her complicity in the crimes committed by her former husband, Michel Fourniret.

Olivier's victims include 20-year-old Joanna Parrish from Gloucestershire and 18-year-old Marie-Angèle Domèce. She was also accused of aiding in the kidnapping of Estelle Mouzin in 2003, whose body has never been recovered. Unfortunately, Fourniret died before he could face trial for these killings.

Having already been serving a life sentence for her involvement in her former husband's past crimes, Olivier now faces a second life sentence, with a minimum of 20 years. The verdict was seen as a victory for the families of the victims, who have been seeking justice for their loved ones.

During the three-week trial, evidence was presented regarding Olivier's role in the abduction, rape, and murder of Miss Parrish in 1990, Miss Domèce in 1988, and the subsequent kidnapping of Miss Mouzin in 2003, which ultimately led to her death. Testimonies suggested that Olivier played a crucial part in ensuring the victims felt at ease, allowing them to willingly enter Fourniret's van.

While Olivier admitted her presence in Auxerre during Miss Parrish's kidnapping, she claimed that the rape and murder may have occurred at a house in St Cyr les Colons, rather than in the van. Fourniret, known as the "Ogre of the Ardennes," was previously convicted of seven murders and was given a second life sentence in 2018 for an eighth murder. He confessed to a total of 11 murders before his death.

The court described the crimes as "extremely grave" and highlighted Olivier's lack of empathy towards her victims, whom she dehumanized. Most of Fourniret's victims, who were aged between nine and 30, were raped and subsequently shot, strangled, or stabbed to death.

Shortly before the jury retired to deliberate Olivier's involvement, she expressed regret and begged for forgiveness from the families of her victims. Sadly, the remains of Estelle Mouzin have never been found, leaving her family without closure.

Olivier was extensively interrogated in 2019, during which she acknowledged that Fourniret had left for France with the intention of finding a young girl to assault. The court heard that she was aware that he had gone "hunting."

The trial brought some measure of justice for the Parrish family, who have endured great hardship. Despite their pain, they have approached the proceedings with dignity, avoiding anger or a desire for revenge, and instead seeking justice for their loved ones.

This trial marks a significant chapter in French justice, as the families affected by these heinous crimes hope for closure and a sense of justice for their lost relatives.