The Crime of The Papin Sisters
A double murder in 1932 committed by two sisters
A terrible crime occurred in the early evening of 2nd February 1932 in the French city of Le Mans (which is well known for its 24-hour motor race). Four women were involved in a violent murder — a mother and daughter who were the victims, and their maids, sisters Christine and Léa Papin, who committed the crime. The case gave rise to many theories as to what could have prompted the two young women to become murderers.
The household consisted of René Lancelin, a retired solicitor, his wife Léonie, their 27-year-old daughter Geneviève, and their live-in maids, 27-year-old Christine Papin and 21-year-old Léa Papin.
On the day in question, René had been playing cards with friends at another house but had arranged to call home to collect his wife and daughter so that they could all go out to dinner together. What he found was a locked front door and a house in darkness. He had not taken a house key with him, so had to ask a policeman to gain entry on his behalf. They found the two women lying dead in the hallway, having suffered injuries so severe that their faces were unrecognizable.
The maids were in their room at the top of the house, with their door locked. When this was broken down they were found naked in bed together. They…