Henri Désiré Landru, French serial killer (d. 1922)

Henri Désiré Landru, born on April 12, 1869, and executed on February 25, 1922, was a figure who cast a long shadow over post-World War I France. Known infamously as the "Bluebeard of Gambais," Landru was a French serial killer whose crimes shocked the nation and highlighted the vulnerability of many women during a tumultuous period. His chilling sobriquet, "Bluebeard," harked back to the dark folklore tale of a nobleman who serially murdered his wives, a fitting comparison given Landru's calculated deceptions.

Landru's predatory activities came to light during and immediately after the Great War, a time when countless women found themselves widowed, alone, or seeking companionship and financial stability. He masterfully exploited this societal void, placing advertisements in newspapers under various aliases, promising marriage and a new life to lonely women. His method was cruelly simple yet highly effective: he would lure these women, often those with some property or savings, to secluded villas he rented, primarily in the village of Gambais, located southwest of Paris. Between December 1915 and January 1919, Landru murdered at least seven women in Gambais. However, his deadly spree began even earlier, in the town of Vernouillet, approximately 35 kilometers northwest of Paris, where he rented a house from December 1914 to August 1915. There, he was responsible for the deaths of at least three other women, along with one young man, the son of one of his initial victims. The true number of Landru's victims, whose remains were meticulously disposed of and never found, was almost certainly higher, a testament to his cunning and the lack of forensic technology of the era.

The Hunt for the Bluebeard

The extensive and meticulous investigation into Landru's activities culminated in his arrest on April 12, 1919, a date that ironically coincided with his 50th birthday. He was apprehended at an apartment he shared with his 24-year-old mistress, Fernande Segret, near Paris's bustling Gare du Nord. The police, driven by the increasing number of inquiries from families of untraced women, painstakingly pieced together Landru's double life. Their exhaustive efforts revealed the staggering scale of his deception: Landru had met or corresponded romantically with a staggering 283 women during the First World War, an era of immense social upheaval. Out of these, a distressing 72 individuals were never successfully traced, leaving their fates shrouded in grim speculation.

The legal net then widened, briefly entangling Landru's immediate family. In December 1919, his 51-year-old wife, Marie-Catherine, and his eldest son, Maurice, then 25, were arrested on suspicion of complicity, specifically in the thefts from his victims' estates. However, both steadfastly denied any knowledge of Landru's sinister criminal activities. Marie-Catherine was subsequently released without charge in July 1920 due to health reasons, while Maurice was also freed on the same day, as authorities were unable to establish his guilt or any direct involvement in his father's crimes. This aspect of the case underscored the difficulty in connecting family members to the hidden atrocities committed by such a deceptive individual.

Trial, Conviction, and Execution

Despite the mounting evidence and the thorough police investigation, Landru maintained his complete innocence throughout an inquiry that stretched for more than a year. He steadfastly refused to confess, even in the face of overwhelming circumstantial proof. He was eventually charged with the murders of ten women and the teenage son of his first victim across his Vernouillet and Gambais residences, totaling eleven murders. The trial of Henri Désiré Landru, held in November 1921 at Versailles, became a national sensation. It captivated the French public and drew a significant crowd of leading personalities, including the renowned novelist Colette and the celebrated actor and singer Maurice Chevalier, all eager to witness the proceedings of this extraordinary case. The trial showcased the meticulous, albeit circumstantial, evidence gathered by the police, painting a stark picture of Landru's calculated cruelty and financial motivations. On November 30, Landru was found guilty by a majority verdict of all eleven murders and, as was customary for such heinous crimes in France at the time, he was sentenced to death. His appeals were unsuccessful, and on February 25, 1922, Henri Désiré Landru met his end by guillotine, a stark and public final act of justice, leaving behind a legacy of unanswered questions and profound infamy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Henri Désiré Landru

Who was Henri Désiré Landru?
Henri Désiré Landru was a notorious French serial killer, born in 1869, who became infamous for murdering multiple women between 1914 and 1919. He was nicknamed the "Bluebeard of Gambais" for his method of luring and killing women after promising them marriage and a new life.
Why was he called the "Bluebeard of Gambais"?
The nickname "Bluebeard" is a reference to a French folktale about a wealthy man who repeatedly marries and murders his wives. Landru earned this moniker because he similarly entrapped and murdered numerous women, primarily in the village of Gambais, after forming romantic relationships with them, often for financial gain.
How did Landru commit his crimes?
Landru preyed on lonely and vulnerable women, particularly during World War I, by placing advertisements in newspapers seeking companionship and marriage. He would then invite them to secluded properties, such as villas in Gambais or a house in Vernouillet. Once there, he would murder them, systematically dispose of their remains (which were never found), and steal their assets and savings.
How many victims did Landru have?
Officially, Landru was convicted of eleven murders: ten women and one teenage boy (the son of one of his victims). However, investigators believed the true number of his victims was likely higher, as 72 of the 283 women he corresponded with during the war were never traced.
How was Landru caught?
Landru was apprehended on April 12, 1919, after a diligent police investigation. Families of missing women, who had corresponded with Landru, eventually led authorities to him. A key piece of evidence was a detailed ledger he kept, which listed the names and finances of his many victims and correspondents.
What happened during his trial?
Landru's trial in November 1921 at Versailles was a sensational event that garnered widespread public attention across France, attracting celebrities and high-profile figures. Despite Landru's consistent denials of guilt, the prosecution presented compelling circumstantial evidence. He was ultimately found guilty by a majority verdict.
What was Landru's fate?
Henri Désiré Landru was sentenced to death following his conviction. He was executed by guillotine on February 25, 1922, just over three years after his arrest, at the age of 52.
Were his family members involved in his crimes?
Landru's wife, Marie-Catherine, and his eldest son, Maurice, were briefly arrested on suspicion of complicity in the thefts from his victims. However, both denied any knowledge of his murders or other criminal activities. They were subsequently released without charge due to lack of evidence linking them directly to the crimes.