Roger Girerd

Mass murderer

10known / alleged victims

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Case Facts

Gender: male
Country: France
Location: Charvieu-Chavagneux, Rhône Alpes, France
Date of birth: 1931
Age at first offence: 34
Characteristics: parricide
Victim profile: Jeannette Girerd, 34 , his wife / Angèle Girerd, 58 , his mother / Robert Girerd, 23 , his brother / Bernard Girerd, 7 , his son / Daniel Girerd, 2 , his son / Eliane Girerd, 10 , his daughter / Joceline Girerd, 8 , his daughter / Pierre Girerd, 6 months , his son / Yves Girerd, 4 , his son / Sylviane Girerd, 16 months , his niece
Method of murder: Stabbing with knife - Shooting
Date(s) of murder: May 20, 1965
Years active: 1965
Date of arrest: —
Status: Died in custody
Committed suicide by shooting himself the same day Roger Girerd killed 10 members of his family at a farm in Charvieu-Chavagneux on May 20, 1965.

Case Summary

Background

Roger Girerd was the perpetrator of a mass murder in Charvieu-Chavagneux on May 20, 1965. The murders were reported as the deadliest mass murder by a single person in French history at that time, despite 14 people being killed by a drunk man in Rouen on June 10, 1945.

Life Girerd worked at a foundry from morning to evening. His mother urged him to do the hardest labour on the farm. Due to being overworked, he had been in a mental institution in Grenoble for a few months in 1959.

In the months prior to the murders, Girerd showed signs of fatigue and uttered fears of a coming nuclear war, being especially worried about the fate of his children.

The offence

In the night from May 19 to May 20, the 34-year-old stabbed his wife, Jeannette Girerd, his six children aged 6 months to 10 years, and a 16-month-old niece.

Jeannette Girerd, four of his children, and his niece were found the next day lying in the kitchen, covered with sheets. The two remaining children were discovered on the first floor.

A witness heard two shots from the farm at approximately 8:30 a.m. It was suspected that Girerd then killed his 58-year-old mother, Angèle Girerd, and his 23-year-old brother, Robert Girerd, in an annex.

Two more shots were heard at about 10 a.m., when Girerd killed his dog and himself.

Investigation

At approximately 8:30 a.m., a witness heard two shots from the farm. It was suspected that Girerd then killed his 58-year-old mother and his 23-year-old brother in an annex.

At about 10 a.m., two more shots were heard, when Girerd killed his dog and himself.

Outcome

Girerd killed himself the same day as the murders.

In a suicide note, Girerd stated he was sick of living in poverty and watching his family living in need, writing:

I have enough. I have to do something. I don't want my children to have to live the way I have to. I want everyone to live in peace. ... I am leaving money for the funeral and to pay my debts

Victims

The victims were Jeannette Girerd (34), Roger Girerd’s wife; Angèle Girerd (58), Girerd’s mother; Robert Girerd (23), Girerd’s brother; Bernard Girerd (7), Girerd’s son; Daniel Girerd (2), Girerd’s son; Eliane Girerd (10), Girerd’s daughter; Joceline Girerd (8), Girerd’s daughter; Pierre Girerd (6 months), Girerd’s son; Yves Girerd (4), Girerd’s son; Sylviane Girerd (16 months), Girerd’s niece.

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