Widow of French Serial Killer Admits Complicity in British Student's Murder
ICARO Media Group
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Monique Olivier, the widow of infamous French serial killer Michel Fourniret, has confessed to being complicit in the rape and murder of British student Joanna Parrish in 1990. Olivier made the admission during her trial, where she is facing charges related to three kidnappings and murders orchestrated by her late husband.
During the trial, Olivier was confronted with photographs of Parrish's swollen face after her body was discovered in the river Yonne. Overwhelmed by guilt, she stated, "It's because of me she's gone, it's unforgivable."
Olivier, now 75 years old and serving a life sentence since 2008, described her role in the crimes as being subservient to Fourniret. She compared herself to a dog that must obey its master during their "hunts" together.
Last week, Olivier confessed to "all the facts" in the cases being tried. Her involvement primarily centers around the abduction, rape, and murder of Joanna Parrish and 18-year-old Marie-Angele Domece in 1988. She is also charged with complicity in the disappearance of nine-year-old Estelle Mouzin in 2003, whose body has never been located despite extensive search efforts.
Domece's remains have also never been found, while Parrish's naked body was recovered from the Yonne river. Olivier recalled how she remained in the front seat of their car while Fourniret climbed into the back to carry out the heinous acts against Parrish.
The Parrish family chose to leave the courtroom during the discussion of Joanna's murder, opting not to hear Olivier's questioning. Olivier struggled to recall specific details during the proceedings, often mixing them up with other killings that had occurred.
Fourniret, who died in 2021 before standing trial for the three murders, previously took sole responsibility for the fates of Domece and Parrish. He admitted, "If those people had not crossed my path, they would still be alive."
All of Fourniret's known victims, the majority of whom were subjected to sexual assault, were killed through shooting, strangulation, or stabbing. The BBC reported that most of the murders occurred in the Ardennes region of northern France and in Belgium.
Monique Olivier's involvement in Fourniret's crimes began when she escaped from her abusive first husband in the early 1980s. She then became pen pals with Fourniret while he was incarcerated for rape. Allegedly, they struck a pact where she would find him virgins to rape in exchange for him killing her ex-husband, a promise that was never fulfilled.
According to the BBC, the couple's first documented victim was 17-year-old Isabelle Laville. In 1987, Olivier lured Laville into her van under the pretense of needing directions, only to be joined by Fourniret, who proceeded to rape and murder the teenager.
For the next 16 years, the couple continued their spree of abduction and murder, targeting at least eight girls and young women. Their reign of terror finally came to an end in 2003 when a 13-year-old girl managed to escape Fourniret's kidnapping attempt, leading to the arrest of both Fourniret and Olivier.
The BBC listed the confirmed victims of Fourniret as Isabelle Laville, Fabienne Leroy, Jeanne-Marie Desramault, Elisabeth Brichet, Natacha Danais, Celine Saison, Mananya Thumphong, Farida Hammiche, Marie-Angèle Domèce, Joanna Parrish, and Estelle Mouzin.
As the trial proceeds, the harrowing details of Fourniret and Olivier's crimes continue to shock and horrify the public. Many are left wondering how such a twisted partnership could remain undetected for so long, as justice is sought for the victims and their families.