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.

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CREDITS

 

Casefile Presents

 

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:

Christine’s Blog

Dupont de Ligonnès murders and disappearance – Wikipedia

 

VIDEOS:

Non élucidée: L’affaire Xavier Dupont de Ligonnès

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