Mysterious death of an alleged victim

Gérard Depardieu - Mysterious death of an alleged victim

A mysterious death and a possible connection with the serious allegations against actor Gérard Depardieu (74) are currently preoccupying the French public. As reported by the newspaper "Le Parisien", among others, the actress Emmanuelle Debever died at the age of 60 - most likely by suicide. The Paris public prosecutor's office has now launched an investigation into the exact cause of death. What is special: In 2019, Debever accused "the sacred monster of French cinema" of sexual violence via Facebook.

According to the investigating authorities, a man reported on November 29 that his partner had left the house and left a disturbing message. Immediately afterwards, the police searched for the missing Debever. The actress was later discovered after jumping off a bridge into the Seine. Rescue workers were able to resuscitate the woman on the spot, but she died in hospital on December 7.

According to initial newspaper reports, the public prosecutor's office itself has now established a possible connection with Depardieu. The corresponding statement from the authority reads: "The media mentioned the fact that this actress had complained about inappropriate behavior by Gérard Depardieu, in particular through a Facebook post. In view of this new element, an investigation has been opened to determine the cause of death." The judicial police will look into the matter and investigate the circumstances that led to Debever's death.

Accusations against Gérard Depardieu have been mounting recently

Around four years ago, Debever accused her colleague Depardieu of sexual assault on the set of a joint film. During the filming of "Danton" in the early 1980s, he allegedly "put his big paw under my skirt in a carriage so that he could smell me better". But she didn't put up with it.

Back in 2018, actress Charlotte Arnould (28) filed charges against Depardieu for two alleged rapes. Depardieu was initially acquitted, but in 2022 the French judiciary decided that the charges should be upheld and that there was "serious and consistent evidence" of rape. The actor denies the allegations and stated that Arnould had consented to everything.

Over the past few years, the accusations against the actor have become more and more frequent. In the middle of this year, French media reported that 13 other women had accused the actor of sexual assaults that had allegedly taken place over the past 20 years. These are said to have ranged from obscene comments to unwanted touching.

At the beginning of December, actress Hélène Darras also made allegations against Depardieu, who is said to have sexually harassed her in 2007 during the filming of the movie "Disco". She was 26 years old at the time. It is currently being examined whether the case should be investigated further in view of the statute of limitations. This was confirmed by the public prosecutor's office in Paris to the French broadcaster "Franceinfo". Depardieu's lawyers have not yet commented on the latest allegations.

The anniversary of Debever's death coincides with the broadcast of a Depardieu documentary

The death of Emmanuelle Debever coincides with the broadcast of a documentary about Gérard Depardieu, which attracted a great deal of attention throughout the country. The magazine "Complément d'enquête" conducted research into the elite French film milieu.

According to the French media, the image painted of Depardieu there is that of a man who has an obvious obsession with sex and does not shy away from unmannerly to borderline vulgar remarks as soon as women are in his presence.

Help with depression and suicidal thoughts is available from the telephone helpline on the free number: 0800/111 0 111