Marcel Barbeault

Case record

Marcel Barbeault was convicted for murders described as involving him as “Random shooter of victims age 20-49, mostly female” and as someone who shot his first victims while hiding in the shadows of nearby trees. He was also identified as “The Shadow Killer” because of the method used to shoot his victims from hiding.

Background

Marcel Barbeault was described as a nice father of two and a good husband.

It was suggested that Barbeault may have started his criminal career after his mother passed away, having suffered breast cancer. Two weeks after her death, the attacks began to occur, and it was speculated that the death of his mother was the catalyst.

The offence

Several victims were described as having been hit on the head. Josette Routier and Francoise Jakubowska had also been cut on their breasts and stomach.

A separate murder, described as “The murder of Suzanne Merienne,” was distinguished because the killer came into her house and ordered her and her 19-year-old daughter to leave and walk to wasteland next to the railway. The 19-year-old managed to escape.

The account also described a criminal career featuring the “Random shooter of victims age 20-49, mostly female.”

There was another weapon involved in the murders, but it has never been recovered.

Investigation

During the investigation into the murder of Eugene Stephan and his girlfriend, investigators found a gun casing by a standpipe in a nearby cemetry. At the time, this was not considered overly helpful, but it became the reason why Barbeault was caught.

The investigating officer considered that the gun casing had been dropped as the killer went to wash himself. Given that it was the middle of the night, the investigating officer concluded that the killer knew his way about the cemetry as he was a frequent visitor.

The investigating officer collated the names of all those who had cause to visit the cementry (around 2,500) and whittled that down to Barbeault.

Arrest and search

On 14th December 1976, the police searched Barbeault’s home.

In his communal cellar, they found a .22 rifle, a paratrooper’s knife, a cosh and some brown oilskins. These items were described as significant because they were what the killer wore in the murder of Mme Merienne.

The rifle was forensically proved to be the same one as had fired the shots from the last two murders.

Barbeault was also identified as a burglar. In 1970, during a burglary already attributed to Barbeault, a .22 Reina rifle was taken. This was forensically proven as being the gun that shot Eugene Stephan, Mauricette Van Hyfte and Josette Routier.

Trial

Barbeault received a sentence of life imprisonment for his crimes following his trial in May 1981.

In March 1982, his conviction was quashed and a retrial took place on November that year.

The verdict was once again guilty.

Sentencing and appeal

After the retrial, his sentence was reduced to twenty years’ imprisonment.

Outcome

Motive: Motive unknown.

Other details

The nickname “The Shadow Killer” was so named because he shot his first victims whilst hiding in the shadows of nearby trees.