Notorious serial killer who murdered seven people in France in the 1930s, and was the last person to be publicly guillotined in France.
Eugen Weidmann is notoriously known as the last person to be publicly executed by guillotine in France, a fate that befell him on June 17, 1939. This German criminal and serial killer's reign of terror in the 1930s sent shockwaves across France, earning him a reputation as one of the most ruthless criminals of his time.
Weidmann was born on February 5, 1908, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, to a family of an export businessman. When World War I broke out, he was sent to live with his grandparents, where he began stealing at a young age. As he grew older, Weidmann's criminal activities escalated, leading to a five-year stint in Saarbrücken jail for robbery.
During his time in prison, Weidmann met Roger Million and Jean Blanc, two men who would later become his partners in crime. After their release, the trio concocted a plan to kidnap wealthy tourists visiting France and steal their valuables. They rented a villa in Saint-Cloud, near Paris, as the perfect hideout for their nefarious activities.
Weidmann's first kidnapping attempt ended in failure, but his second attempt proved fatal. In July 1937, he befriended Jean De Koven, a 22-year-old New York City dancer, and invited her to his villa. After drugging her with a glass of milk, Weidmann strangled her and buried her in the villa's garden. The crime was eventually discovered, and Weidmann was arrested, leading to his eventual execution.
Weidmann's trial was a sensationalized media event, with the French public clamoring for his blood. On June 17, 1939, he was led to the guillotine in the courtyard of the Prison de Fresnes, marking the last public execution in French history.
Weidmann's crimes sent shockwaves across France, leaving a trail of terror and bereavement in his wake. His notoriety as a ruthless serial killer has endured, making him one of the most infamous criminals of the 20th century.
Eugen Weidmann's gruesome crimes and subsequent public execution have cemented his place in the annals of French criminal history, serving as a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked violence and the importance of justice.
66 Years Old
Notorious serial killer and sex offender who terrorized California in the 1980s, committing heinous crimes that shocked the nation. Known for his brutal and satanic rituals.
79 Years Old
Notorious serial killer who confessed to 30 murders, mostly of young women, during the 1970s, known for his charismatic persona and evasion of capture for years.
66 Years Old
Notorious serial killer who committed heinous murders and engaged in necrophilia and cannibalism, shocking the nation with his depraved crimes.
84 Years Old
Notorious serial killer and rapist who terrorized Chicago in the 1970s, murdering at least 33 young men and boys, often targeting vulnerable individuals.
73 Years Old
Notorious serial killer and arsonist who terrorized New York City in the 1970s, killing six people and injuring seven others, earning the nickname "Son of Sam."
81 Years Old
A notorious serial killer who led a double life as a church leader and family man, known for murdering 10 people in Kansas between 1974 and 1991.
