Case 129
The Dupont de Ligonnès Family
Case 129
The Dupont de Ligonnès Family
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The city of Nantes is situated in the north-west of France, in the heart of the Loire Valley wine region. The Loire River curves through the city, which is defined by its striking blend of heritage architecture, 18th century facades, and Mediterranean inspired dwellings. The layout is typical of many French cities – a medieval town centre framed by densely packed historic suburban buildings, before giving way to newer homes and public housing. As the sixth largest city in France, Nantes has been praised by the European Commission for offering a high quality of life.
The six-member Dupont de Ligonnès family lived at 55 Robert-Schuman Boulevard, a narrow two-story residence in a wealthy residential area west of the city. Their home was part of a row of matching terraced buildings overlooking a busy thoroughfare, interspersed with patisseries, bars, and other businesses. The family lived a comfortable, middle-class life. 50-year-old patriarch, Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès, had aristocratic ties and noble ancestry. He was raised in a devout Catholic household in the regal, upper-class city of Versailles west of Paris. It was there that he met Agnes Hodanger, an elegant young woman two years his junior. Xavier and Agnes dated throughout their teens and became engaged, but the relationship ended before their marriage went ahead. In the years following their break up, Xavier indulged his love of American culture and country music by travelling the famous highway Route 66 in the United States.
________
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
MTC program: maketheconnection.net/resources/spread-the-word
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched by Erin Munro
Episode written by Elsha McGill
Creative director: Milly Raso
A special thank you to Holly Evans Plumelet and Sylvain Plumelet for their assistance with this episode.
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
ARTICLES:
Dupont de Ligonnès Family Murder from 2011 – Marilyn Z. Tomlins
Killing of Nantes: Key dates of the case – Le Parisien
Drama of Nantes: “Five methodical executions” – Le Figaro
The scenario of the killing of Nantes is emerging slowly – Libération
The detail of the father’s escape to the Var – Le Parisien
Drama of Nantes: dinner father-son on 4/4 – Le Figaro
Testimonies shed light on the last days of the Dupont de Ligonnès family – Liberation
Killing of Nantes: the troubling testimony of a friend of Thomas – Le Parisien
Nantes: an ex-girlfriend of one of the sons testifies – RTL
The mystical obsessions of Xavier de Ligonnes put to the Net – Libération
The shaved head of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès – L’Obs
Killing of Nantes: God and the 22 long rifle – L’Obs
The sister of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès told him to “go to the police” – 20 minutes
An expert paints the portrait of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès – Le Parisien
The “American friend” of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès – France Soir
The body of Colette Deromme discovered: A link with Dupont de Ligonnès? – France Soir
Case Ligonnès: “And if Xavier had been murdered …” – Le Journal de Dimanche
Father wanted for family murder: “I’m superior” – The Local,
Dupont de Ligonnès case – Stéphane Goldenstein: “In this case, there is no certainty” – Le Point
Killing of Nantes. A surfer discovers that the mother confided her uneasiness on the web – Ouest France
The house of Nantes Dupont Ligonnès has been sold – L’Obs
‘I am still alive’: Alleged fugitive French killer contacts media – France 24
De Ligonnès: un Nantais avait déjà photographié le “mystérieux” cliché – Maville
Dupont de Ligonnès: the house of horror – Paris March
“It’s me they took for Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès”: the monk tells the police operation – LCI
The Monk Mistaken for a Monster: the Most-Wanted Murderer in France – The Daily Beast
Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès: his friend Michel convinced “he did not stay in France” – Europe 1
Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès, stalking on Facebook – Les Inrockuptibles
Study: family killers are usually men and fit one of four distinct profiles – Wired
Suspected fugitive accused of murdering family arrested in Glasgow – The Guardian
Man seized at Glasgow airport is not French fugitive, police confirm – The Guardian
Blame game erupts as Scottish police arrest innocent man over French murder – The Daily Record
WEBSITES:
Dupont de Ligonnès murders and disappearance – Wikipedia
VIDEOS:
Non élucidée: L’affaire Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Luc Belaire – Get 30% OFF your first order of Luc Belaire’s wines
Quip – Get your first refill pack FREE with a QUIP electric toothbrush
ShipStation – Try ShipStation FREE for 60 days with promo code ‘casefile’
Calm – Get 25% off Calm Premium subscription
Listen On
The city of Nantes is situated in the north-west of France, in the heart of the Loire Valley wine region. The Loire River curves through the city, which is defined by its striking blend of heritage architecture, 18th century facades, and Mediterranean inspired dwellings. The layout is typical of many French cities – a medieval town centre framed by densely packed historic suburban buildings, before giving way to newer homes and public housing. As the sixth largest city in France, Nantes has been praised by the European Commission for offering a high quality of life.
The six-member Dupont de Ligonnès family lived at 55 Robert-Schuman Boulevard, a narrow two-story residence in a wealthy residential area west of the city. Their home was part of a row of matching terraced buildings overlooking a busy thoroughfare, interspersed with patisseries, bars, and other businesses. The family lived a comfortable, middle-class life. 50-year-old patriarch, Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès, had aristocratic ties and noble ancestry. He was raised in a devout Catholic household in the regal, upper-class city of Versailles west of Paris. It was there that he met Agnes Hodanger, an elegant young woman two years his junior. Xavier and Agnes dated throughout their teens and became engaged, but the relationship ended before their marriage went ahead. In the years following their break up, Xavier indulged his love of American culture and country music by travelling the famous highway Route 66 in the United States.
______
Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:
AUSTRALIA:
Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36
Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732
Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78
Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre
USA:
Distress & Lifeline: 1800 273 8255
Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741
Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233
Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846
UK:
Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393
SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000
Samaritans support network: 116 123
National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300
CANADA:
For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call
NEW ZEALAND:
Lifeline: 0800 543354
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)
CREDITS
NARRATION:
Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host
EPISODE:
Episode researched by Erin Munro
Episode written by Elsha McGill
Creative director: Milly Raso
A special thank you to Holly Evans Plumelet and Sylvain Plumelet for their assistance with this episode.
MUSIC:
‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com
All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn
OTHER:
Logo design by Paulina Szymanska
RESOURCES
ARTICLES:
Dupont de Ligonnès Family Murder from 2011 – Marilyn Z. Tomlins
Killing of Nantes: Key dates of the case – Le Parisien
Drama of Nantes: “Five methodical executions” – Le Figaro
The scenario of the killing of Nantes is emerging slowly – Libération
The detail of the father’s escape to the Var – Le Parisien
Drama of Nantes: dinner father-son on 4/4 – Le Figaro
Testimonies shed light on the last days of the Dupont de Ligonnès family – Liberation
Killing of Nantes: the troubling testimony of a friend of Thomas – Le Parisien
Nantes: an ex-girlfriend of one of the sons testifies – RTL
The mystical obsessions of Xavier de Ligonnes put to the Net – Libération
The shaved head of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès – L’Obs
Killing of Nantes: God and the 22 long rifle – L’Obs
The sister of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès told him to “go to the police” – 20 minutes
An expert paints the portrait of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès – Le Parisien
The “American friend” of Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès – France Soir
The body of Colette Deromme discovered: A link with Dupont de Ligonnès? – France Soir
Case Ligonnès: “And if Xavier had been murdered …” – Le Journal de Dimanche
Father wanted for family murder: “I’m superior” – The Local,
Dupont de Ligonnès case – Stéphane Goldenstein: “In this case, there is no certainty” – Le Point
Killing of Nantes. A surfer discovers that the mother confided her uneasiness on the web – Ouest France
The house of Nantes Dupont Ligonnès has been sold – L’Obs
‘I am still alive’: Alleged fugitive French killer contacts media – France 24
De Ligonnès: un Nantais avait déjà photographié le “mystérieux” cliché – Maville
Dupont de Ligonnès: the house of horror – Paris March
“It’s me they took for Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès”: the monk tells the police operation – LCI
The Monk Mistaken for a Monster: the Most-Wanted Murderer in France – The Daily Beast
Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès: his friend Michel convinced “he did not stay in France” – Europe 1
Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès, stalking on Facebook – Les Inrockuptibles
Study: family killers are usually men and fit one of four distinct profiles – Wired
Suspected fugitive accused of murdering family arrested in Glasgow – The Guardian
Man seized at Glasgow airport is not French fugitive, police confirm – The Guardian
Blame game erupts as Scottish police arrest innocent man over French murder – The Daily Record
WEBSITES:
Dupont de Ligonnès murders and disappearance – Wikipedia
VIDEOS:
Non élucidée: L’affaire Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès
THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS
Luc Belaire – Get 30% OFF your first order of Luc Belaire’s wines
Quip – Get your first refill pack FREE with a QUIP electric toothbrush
ShipStation – Try ShipStation FREE for 60 days with promo code ‘casefile’
Calm – Get 25% off Calm Premium subscription
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