A city of romance was shaken by a scene of unimaginable horror this week, as the River Seine yielded a grisly secret. French authorities have charged a homeless man with murder after the recovery of four partially naked bodies from the iconic waterway that winds through the heart of Paris.
The investigation was launched following the discovery of the bodies of two women and two men, all found in a state of undress. The suspect, a 41-year-old homeless man of Iranian origin, was apprehended after being spotted on CCTV near the scene at the Quai de la Rapée, not far from the Gare de Lyon railway station.
A Chilling Discovery
The nightmare began when the first body was discovered on Sunday. Over the following days, the toll rose, with the final two victims being pulled from the water on Tuesday. The proximity of the finds and the similar condition of the bodies immediately pointed investigators towards a potential serial killer.
Prosecutors have revealed that the victims, three of whom have been identified, were all from the vulnerable homeless community. The suspect, who was known to police, allegedly knew his victims, suggesting a chilling premeditation rather than random attacks.
The Investigation Unfolds
The breakthrough came from city surveillance footage. Cameras captured the suspect walking with one of the victims, a 52-year-old woman, just hours before her body was discovered. This critical evidence provided the link that led to his swift arrest.
While the exact cause of death is yet to be formally determined by autopsies, the charge of "aggravated murder" indicates prosecutors believe there were sinister circumstances. The investigation, led by the Paris prosecutor's office, is now working to piece together the final moments of the victims' lives and establish a clear motive.
A Community in Shock
The case has cast a dark shadow over the French capital and highlighted the perils faced by those living on the streets. The targeting of vulnerable individuals has prompted calls for increased protection for the homeless population.
As the judicial process begins, with the suspect expected to face a full murder trial, a city is left to mourn and seek answers to a tragedy that has violated its most famous river.
