In the 1970s, a series of gruesome murders of brunette women took place in the French town of Nogent-sur-Oise; these always occurred at dusk, which is why the serial killer was nicknamed the Shadow Killer. A total of seven women and one man were killed, all of whom were shot. The serial killer stripped some of the women without sexually assaulting them. He took only their handbags as souvenirs. Who was behind the series of murders of brown-haired women? For a long time, the police were completely in the dark as to the identity of the Shadow Killer, who first shot a woman on 10 January 1969, though she survived. Just four days later, the Shadow Killer struck again, shooting a young woman in the stomach. But she too was lucky and survived. His third victim was less fortunate; on 23 January 1969, the Shadow Killer shot her in the neck with a 5.5 calibre weapon. From then on, brunette women in the area were in danger, which is why many women changed their hair colour. For seven years, the Shadow Killer – who had also shot a couple on 29 May 1973 – was able to shoot women with a rifle without being detected. Until an anonymous caller tipped off the authorities. The Shadow Killer turned out to be 35-year-old Marc Henri Barbeault, a 1.80-metre-tall father of two. He was regarded as an exemplary family man, a former boxer and a veteran of the Algerian War. Barbeault already had a criminal record for burglary. During a house search on 14 December 1976, the 22-calibre rifle used to kill the last two victims, several bullets from the 5.5-calibre rifle, a club and a dagger were found in his cellar. Ballistic analysis confirmed that the weapon was indeed the same one used to commit the last two murders. Furthermore, the murders always took place when Barbeault was on leave. This was sufficient to bring Barbeault to trial on 28 May 1981 at the courthouse in Beauvais in the Coeur d’Assises of Oise. Barbeault was charged with five counts of murder, as the evidence for the other three murders was inconclusive. On 10 June 1981, Barbeault was sentenced to life imprisonment. An appeal against his sentence was rejected by the Court of Cassation in November 1981. Since then, Barbeault, who to this day denies being the Shadow Killer, has been imprisoned at Saint-Maur Central Prison in Indre, where he works as a prison librarian.
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!
Isabella Mueller (crime writer)
