Dominique Pélicot, the 72-year-old man who has shocked France with his grisly acts of sexual violence, is currently facing new scrutiny as he is questioned regarding two cold cases of murder and attempted rape from the 1990s. Pélicot, previously convicted for drugging his ex-wife, Gisèle Pélicot, to orchestrate her repeated assaults by other men, is serving a 20-year prison sentence after a trial that unveiled horrific methods of abuse.

On January 30, 2025, Pélicot was interrogated by a magistrate specializing in cold cases, specifically regarding the unsolved crimes of Sophie Narme, a property agent murdered in Paris on December 4, 1991, and the attempted rape of another estate agent in Villeparisis on May 11, 1999. His lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, stated that he denies any connection to Narme's murder, while acknowledging he met the other victim and attempted to undress her, albeit denying the intent of rape.

Since October 2022, Dominique Pélicot has been under formal investigation for both cases, suggesting that authorities believe credible evidence exists against him in these historical crimes. His troubled past includes a chilling pattern of predatory behavior, as highlighted by lawyers representing the victims, who note striking similarities in the modus operandi of both attacks, raising suspicions that the same perpetrator might be involved. Lawyer Florence Rault indicates, "There are such similarities in the mode of operation, in the way the victims were approached – and the victims are so identical, too – that one can legitimately ask many questions."

The cold cases were consolidated into one investigation by a dedicated unit operating out of Nanterre, France, which focuses on unresolved and serial crimes. Pélicot’s current legal status leaves him at risk of further charges as these investigations unfold, echoing the trauma associated with the many lives affected by the abuse he facilitated.

Gisèle Pélicot, who has emerged as a significant figure in advocating against gender violence, continues to influence public conversation surrounding consent and sexual violence in France. Her decision to hold her abusers accountable in a public trial, which resulted in the conviction of Dominique Pélicot and multiple co-defendants, has sparked an ongoing dialogue around these crucial issues.

The investigation into the 1990s cases denotes the seriousness with which authorities are approaching historical crimes, particularly those revealing patterns of repeated sexual aggression. For instance, differences in victim profiles between the 1991 and 1999 cases show an alarming consistency in Pélicot's behaviors, with police linking him to both crimes through DNA evidence. To read more, follow the reports by BBC, HuffPost, and South China Morning Post.