Henri Girard
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- France
- Location
- Paris, France
- Date of birth
- 1875
- Age at first offence
- 37
- Characteristics
- poisoner, attempt to collect insurance money
- Victim profile
- Louis Pernotte / Madame Monin
- Method of murder
- Poisoning
- Date(s) of murder
- 1912 / 1918
- Years active
- 1912–1918
- Date of arrest
- August 21, 1918
- Status
-
Died in custody
Committed suicide in prison by means of swallowing a germ culture on May 1921
Name
Henri Girard
Background
Henri Girard was a French killer-for-profit. He insured his victims’ lives before poisoning them and collecting the cash. He made it his practice to insure the lives of various acquaintances and have himself listed as their primary beneficiary.
Girard used poisonous weapons including natural toxins from the mushrooms of genus Amanita and pathogenic bacteria.
The offence
Girard poisoned acquaintances for life insurance. Soon after the deaths of Girard’s acquaintances Louis Pernotte and Madame Monin, the insurance companies became very suspicious.
Investigation
An investigation ensued after the deaths of Louis Pernotte and Madame Monin.
Girard was taken into custody in 1912.
Soon after being taken into custody in 1912, Girard cheated the French court by taking one of his own toxic germ cultures (most likely typhoid), which he had secreted in his personal effects.
Arrest
Girard was arrested in 1921.
Trial
Girard was awaiting trial on capital charges when he committed suicide.
Girard was charged with two homicides committed in 1912 and 1918.
Sentencing
Henri Girard did not receive a sentencing outcome because he committed suicide in prison before trial.
Outcome
Henri Girard committed suicide in prison by means of swallowing a germ culture on May 1921.
Aftermath
The case of Henri Girard was described as important because it represented one of the first known uses of biological agents to carry out a poisoning homicide.
Other details
Michael Newton, An Encyclopedia of Modern Serial Killers, described Henri Girard as “The First Scientific Murderer”. John Harris Trestrail III described Girard’s motive as “Poisoned acquaintances for life insurance . home last updates contact”.
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