The Execution of France’s “Lonely Hearts Killer”

Summary

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History Daily: The Execution of France’s “Lonely Hearts Killer”

Host: Lindsay Graham
Date: February 25, 2026
Topic: The notorious crimes and execution of Henri Landru, France’s “Lonely Hearts Killer”

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Episode Overview

This episode explores the chilling true story of Henri Landru, one of France's most prolific serial killers, known for targeting women through "lonely hearts" ads during World War I. The episode details how Landru lured widows with promises of marriage, murdered them for their savings, and ultimately met justice thanks to the relentless efforts of the victims’ families—culminating in his execution on February 25, 1922.

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Key Discussion Points & Timeline

1. Scene Setting: A Night in 1916 (00:39)

• Narrative Introduction
  • Jean Montier, traveling through the countryside near Paris, encounters a scene he doesn’t yet understand—a foul stench, smoke from a chimney, and a mysterious man (Henri Landru) tossing something heavy into a pond.
• Significance: Years later, Montier will become a vital witness against Landru.

2. The Victims: Celestine Buizon’s Story (06:05)

• Celestine’s Vulnerability
  • A widow seeking companionship responds to a "lonely hearts" ad from “Georges Fremier," Landru’s alias.
  • “She’s found it hard to meet anyone with so many men away fighting the Germans.” (06:22 – Lindsay Graham)
• Sister’s Suspicion
  • Marie Lacoste, Celestine’s sister, is wary from the beginning: “There’s something about Georges that gives her the creeps. He’s too affectionate, too effusive, too oily.” (08:00)
• Red Flags
  • Georges takes over Celestine’s finances; after an argument, the sisters part ways.

3. The Disappearing Women and Dismissive Authorities (09:30)

• Marie realizes Celestine is missing, finds her apartment emptied.
• Authorities (the police and mayor’s office) express little interest in missing working-class women.
  • “In France at this time, working class women are considered little more than children in intellectual capacity.” (10:29)
• The first clue of a pattern: another woman has reported a similar disappearance.

4. Building the Case: Families Connect (14:24)

• Marie Lacoste meets Victorine Renaud Pellet, whose sister Anna vanished after a relationship with the same “Georges Fremier.”
• Both women were failed by police but decide to work together, enlisting Renaud’s father to bypass institutional sexism.
• Despite their efforts, the investigation initially stalls due to lack of physical evidence.

5. Breakthrough and Arrest (16:45)

• A friend of Marie’s spots Landru with a new woman; the police retrieve his address from a store receipt.
• April 12, 1919: Henri Landru is finally arrested.
  • Investigators find evidence of fraud, a coded notebook with the women’s names, and personal effects—but no bodies.

6. The Trial: Justice for the Victims (21:54)

• The Trial’s Drama
  • Landru faces 11 counts of murder and 37 counts of fraud.
  • His lawyer claims, “There was no proof that he had killed them,” and tries to undermine the investigation. (22:09)
• Courageous Testimony
  • Marie Lacoste’s composure on the stand is pivotal: “While Landru stared at her, she stared right back. Her testimony was so calm and compelling that Landru’s lawyer didn’t even bother to cross-examine her.” (23:16)
  • Multiple women testify to similar patterns.
• Jean Montier’s Testimony
  • Remembers the smoke and Landru by the pond, lending crucial corroboration.
• The Gruesome Evidence
  • Police find “nine pounds of charred bone fragments, along with scraps of women’s clothing and 47 teeth” on Landru’s property. (24:34)

7. Execution: February 25, 1922 (21:54)

• Vivid Description
  • Journalist Webb Miller covers the event: Landru, gaunt and shackled, is led to the guillotine at dawn in Versailles.
  • “Between Landru emerging from the prison gates and his head dropping into the wicker basket in front of the guillotine, only 26 seconds have passed.” (25:54)
• Reflection
  • Landru used war and social chaos to prey on vulnerable women, spotlighting both institutional neglect and individual courage.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "He was a murderer. Henri Landru, one of France's most prolific serial killers. And when he is finally caught and put on trial, Jean's memories of that strange summer night will help ensure Landru pays the ultimate price for his crimes." – Lindsay Graham (00:39)
• “In France at this time, working class women are considered little more than children in intellectual capacity, the police officers have no interest in prying into another man's affairs just because Marie and Celestine have had a fight.” – Lindsay Graham (10:29)
• “She stared right back. Her testimony was so calm and compelling that Landru's lawyer didn't even bother trying to cross-examine her.” – Lindsay Graham, on Marie Lacoste’s testimony (23:16)
• “Nine pounds of charred bone fragments, along with scraps of women's clothing and 47 teeth.” – Lindsay Graham, on the evidence (24:34)
• “Between Landru emerging from the prison gates and his head dropping into the wicker basket... only 26 seconds have passed.” – Lindsay Graham (25:54)

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Thematic Insights

• Vulnerability in Wartime: The chaos and loss of World War I left many women isolated and susceptible to predators.
• Systemic Sexism and Classism: The case highlights gross neglect of working-class women’s safety and credible complaints.
• Persistence and Solidarity: It took the sustained, creative efforts of grieving sisters to force authorities to pursue the case.
• Historic Impact: The Landru affair became a media sensation and a lasting cautionary tale in French criminal history.

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Suggested Listening Order (with Timestamps)

• Chilling Witness / Opening Scene: 00:39
• First Victim’s Story (Celestine Buizon): 06:05
• Sisters’ Suspicion and Disappearance: 09:30
• Families Unite for Justice: 14:24
• Landru’s Arrest & Evidence: 16:45
• Trial & Emotional Testimony: 21:54
• Execution & Aftermath: 25:54

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Conclusion

This episode offers a rich, suspenseful, and poignant retelling of the Landru case—showcasing how a serial predator was ultimately brought down not merely by chance, but by the dogged determination of the victims’ loved ones. It is a story of both horror and heroism, told with immersive detail and respect for those who fought for justice.

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Transcript

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[Lindsey Graham (History Daily Narrator)]

It's a still summer night in 1916 in the countryside west of Paris, France. Jean Montier curses under his breath as he pedals hard through the darkness. He stayed too long while visiting his aunt and missed his train home, so now he's got a lot farther to go on his bike than he was anticipating. But as he rounds a corner, Jean wrinkles his nose. There's a terrible stench in the air like nothing he's smelled before. He looks around for where it might be coming from. The only building in sight is a two story brick house with a red automobile parked outside. As he rides closer, he can see a tower of black smoke billowing from its chimney. Jean bikes faster, eager to distance himself from the smell. He cycles down a dirt trail heading for a forest, but he hasn't gone very far before he feels his bike buckle beneath him. He's got a flat. Frustrated, he rolls to a stop. Kneeling down, he peers at the tire, but it's too dark among the trees to see anything. He looks around and wonders what to do. There's a large pond off to the side of the path. So? So Jean wheels his bike down to the water's edge where it might be a little brighter, and in the moonlight reflecting off the pond, Jean can see enough to start patching his tire. He's just finishing the repair when he hears an engine. He looks up and it's the same red car that he saw in front of the house earlier. It's driving down the road that runs by the far side of the pond. The car then stops and a man gets out. He's probably in his 40s, with a bald head and scraggly beard. Jean watches as the man grabs something out of the trunk of his car and trudges down to the pond. He then disappears behind some rushes and Jean hears a splash. He thinks the man is probably a poacher throwing a net into the water, so Jean ducks low and wheels his bike back toward the trees before pedaling through the forest. Whatever this man is doing by the pond he doesn't want anything to do with. Won't be until years later that Jean Montier will truly understand what he saw. The man by the pond was not a poacher. He was a murderer. Henri Landru, one of France's most prolific serial killers. And when he is finally caught and put on trial, John's memories of that strange summer night will help ensure Landru pays the ultimate price for his crimes. On February 25, 1922, I just got some good news about my first ever live show in Dallas. Sections 101, 201, 301 and 601 are all sold out. Seats are still available, but if you want one of the good ones left, you may want to buy your tickets soon. But of course, not everyone who wants to see the show lives anywhere near Dallas. I see you. Austin from Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Peter from Dublin. Divache from the Netherlands. So to be the first to know when we do announce new dates, go to historydailylive.com to register for details. That's historydailylive.com far lost.

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[Lindsey Graham (History Daily Narrator)]

From noser and airship I'm lindsey graham and this is history. Daily. History is made every day on this podcast. Every day we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is February 25, 1922 the execution of France's Lonely Heart's killer it's May 1915 in Paris, just over a year before Jean Montier rode his bike past Henri Langoux's house. A warm spring breeze blows through the windows of Celestine Buison's apartment. 44 year old Celestine twirls her chestnut hair as she leafs through a newspaper. She flips quickly past the news of the French army's latest battles with the Germans. But then she sees something that catches her eye. It's a lonely hearts ad from a man named Georges Fremier. He's a 45 year old well to do businessman who's looking to meet someone new. Celestine's pulse quickens. She's been a widow for a few years now and knows that she can still make a good wife to someone. But she's found it hard to meet anyone with so many men away fighting the Germans. This Georges might be perfect. So Celestine rushes to pen a response before she has to leave for work. She's not very good at writing, but she puts her best foot forward saying she's a hard worker with modest savings and a son who's on the front lines fighting for his country. Then, sealing the envelope, she races out the door to mail it with a spring in her step. It's not long before Celestine gets a reply. Georges says that he's a factory owner from Lille, but as the city is currently under German control, he has little access to his money or papers. He hopes that once the war is over, he'll be Able to settle down and enjoy a comfortable and prosperous life. He just wishes he had someone to share it with. This is all music to Celestine's ears. She soon meets George in person and is even Morse. He's powerfully built and darkly handsome, and before long, there's talk of marriage. Celestine is ecstatic. But there's one person in her life who's not so happy. Her younger sister, Marie Lacoste, doesn't like Georges. Marie has been suspicious of him from the beginning. She just doesn't understand the relationship. And with so many women looking for love, a rich factory owner like Georges could have his pick. And as much as she loves her sister, Marie has to recognize that Celestine isn't rich or well educated, or especially beautiful. And that's not the only thing that bothers her. There's something about Georges that gives her the creeps. He's too affectionate, too effusive, too oily. As much as Celestine seems to like all his compliments, they just seem phony to Marie. So as the months go by and the relationship deepens, Marie tries her best not to say anything. But when she finds out that Georges has taken control of Celestine's finances, she can't keep her suspicions to herself any longer. She's now convinced that Georges is lying to Celestine and trying to swindle her out of her money. She begs her sister to leave him, but Celestine refuses and the sisters have a furious argument. They stop talking and never see each other, and Marie sadly assumes that Celestine has simply chosen Georges over her. But then, 16 months later, Marie gets a letter from Celestine's son. He's been blinded fighting in the war and needs help with his medical bills. He's tried writing his mother, but she won't respond. He asks Marie to go to Celestine's apartment and find out what's going on. Reluctantly, Marie agrees. She makes the trek to Celestine's apartment building in Paris. The lock is stiff and she has to jiggle the key before the door will open. And when it does, to her horror, the rooms inside are completely empty. Marie asks around the building and discovers that no one has seen Celestine in over a year. Marie's stomach twists with dread as she realizes that that perhaps Georges Fremier was not just a swindler, but something far worse. Determined to help her sister, Marie takes her concerns to the police. But they shrug her off. In France at this time, working class women are considered Little more than children in intellectual capacity, the police officers have no interest in prying into another man's affairs just because Marie and Celestine have had a fight. So in desperation, Marie will write to the mayor of the village outside Paris where she knows Georges Fremee lives. But the mayor's secretary will write back saying that no one by that name lives there and there's nothing they can do. Only the very end of the letter will offer Maria any hope. Almost in passing, the secretary will point out that another woman recently wrote to the mayor with an almost identical story. Perhaps Marie Lacoste should try talking to her.

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[Lindsey Graham (History Daily Narrator)]

Hi there.

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[Lindsey Graham (History Daily Narrator)]

It's late January 1919 in Paris, a month after Marie Lacosse learned that her sister is missing. Marie shifts uncomfortably on the edge of an ornate armchair as the young woman sitting across from her pulls a postcard out of a folder of documents. This woman is Victorine Rino Pelas, and she's nothing like Marie. Rino is beautiful, wealthy and educated, so Marie feels a bit out of place in the resplendent living room. But she has an important thing in common with like Marie. Her sister planned to marry a man named Georges Fremier, and then she went missing. Marie squints at the postcard. It's a photograph of a village. There's an X marked on one of the houses on the outskirts. Marie listens as Reno explains that this was the home of her sister's fiance, Georges. Marie recognizes the place. She once visited her sister Celestine there, but there was no sign of another woman. Reno's sister Anna started seeing Georges Fremier in 1915. She was married once before, but unhappily and her husband drank himself to death. Anna then had a daughter out of wedlock, which was considered shameful. So after that she just wanted some stability in her life and a new husband who would make her daughter legitimate. That's when she saw Georges Fremier's ad in the newspaper. Just like Celestine Buizon, Anna quickly fell for the wealthy industrialist. And soon there was talk of marriage. But like Marie, Reno was immediately wary of Georges. Those suspicions deepened around Christmas 1916, when Anna confided in her family that she had lent her future husband all her savings. Reno and her elderly parents quickly decided that they had to intervene and get Anna out of this relationship. But the following day, Anna left Paris with Georges. That was more than two years ago and she hasn't been seen or heard from since. Marie feels her heart ache as she listens to Reno describe circumstances so eerily similar to her own. Reno tried to get the police to investigate too. But just like Marie, she was brushed off. Hearing all this, Marie sets down her teacup. They can't let this go. They have to find their sisters. And now, at least, they each have an ally. So over the next few weeks, Marie and Reno put together everything they know about Georges Fremier and build a compelling dossier to take to the police. This time though, they decide not to submit their investigation under their own names. Instead, they enlist the help of Reno's father and put his name on the complaint, thinking that the authorities surely won't ignore a well to do businessman. And just as the women suspect, this time the police do launch an investigation. But it's a half hearted one. They can find no trace of Georges Fremier and seem eager to close the case before it's even begun. Marie and Reno are frustrated, but they don't give up. And a few months later, they get a stroke of luck that changes everything. Marie's friend from work, L'll is window shopping at her favorite crockery store in Paris when through the glass, she sees something that makes her heart stop. Georges Fremier is standing not 10ft away with another young woman who appears to be his girlfriend. L' Homme recognizes him at once. Georges once turned up at their workplace to talk to Marie and lol hasn't been able to forget that face. Since then, she's heard all about Marie's quest to track him down and find out what happened to her sister. So Laul watches him buy a blue floral tea set, hand the cashier a card with his shipping address on it and head for the door. L' Hurries to tell Marie what she's seen and Marie immediately calls the police. They go to the crockery store and retrieve Georges Fremier's card and tells them where to find him. And on April 12, 1919, investigators go to the address and place Georges under arrest. He denies any wrongdoing, but the evidence soon tells a darker story. It quickly emerges that this man's name is not Georges Fremier, but Henri Landreux. He's been on the run from police for five years after committing a string of frauds. But now it seems he's turned to more violent crimes. Among Langdrew's possessions, police find a black moleskin notebook. It's filled with dates and times, profits and expenses and entries written in some sort of code. Toward the back is a long list of names. Reno and Marie's sisters, Anna and Celestine are both on it, but so are nine others and all of them are missing. With concern mounting that they're dealing with a serial killer, police search Landru's properties. In a rented garage in Paris, they discover women's clothing, jewelry and identity cards. But what they don't find are any bodies. And without them, the case against Landru is not as strong as the police would like. That will worry Marie Lacoste and Rino Pelle. They may have finally tracked down the man they believe murdered their sisters. But in their long fight for justice, one more battle still lies ahead.

[Lost Traveler]

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[Lindsey Graham (History Daily Narrator)]

Hi there.

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[Lindsey Graham (History Daily Narrator)]

Hi there.

[Lost Traveler]

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[Helpful Local]

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[Lost Traveler]

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[Helpful Local]

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the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee.

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[Lindsey Graham (History Daily Narrator)]

It's the morning of February 25, 1922, outside a prison in Versailles, almost three years after Henri Landru was arrested. American journalist Webb Miller rubs his hands together and stamps his feet on the damp cobblestones, trying to get some feeling back into them. It's barely dawn and it's freezing outside. But Webb wouldn't miss this for anything. He's been following the Landru case for months. The trial was a sensation. Landru was charged with 11 counts of murder and 37 counts of fraud. But at first it wasn't clear if he would be convicted. His lawyer was widely regarded as one of the best in France, and he insisted that while his client might have been a criminal who defrauded his victims, there was no proof that he had killed them. The lawyer then exposed the mistakes made by the police in their investigation and portrayed the detectives as incompetent fools. But then came the evidence from the victim's relatives. On the ninth day of the trial, Marie Lacoste took the stand. Previous witnesses had been intimidated when coming face to face with Andrew and his formidable lawyer. But Marie refused to be frightened by them. So while Landrieu stared at her, she stared right back. Her testimony was so calm and compelling that Landru's lawyer didn't even bother trying to cross examine her. After that, more and more women took the stand, all telling similar stories. And then came Jean Montier, recalling that on a moonlit night in 1916, he saw thick, nauseous smoke billowing from Landru's chimney and later, Landru himself throwing a heavy package into the pond. It was disturbing testimony, but the prosecution didn't need the pond to prove their case. Two years earlier, when police had searched Landru's property, they'd found the real evidence in a garden shed, nine pounds of charred bone fragments, along with scraps of women's clothing and 47 teeth. The bones told the story that the smoke had hinted at all along. Despite all his lawyer's efforts, Henri Landru was found guilty of all 11 murder charges and all but two fraud charges. Now, three months later, it's time for his sentence to be carried out. The huge prison gates swing open and American journalist Webb Miller watches as two guards emerge with a shackled prisoner between them. After years in prison awaiting his trial, Henri Landru is far from the intimidating man he was before. His once thick beard has been cut away and he's stick thin. His bare feet seem to give way as he catches sight of the guillotine. He's carried up the steps of the scaffold to the machine. His head is clamped into position beneath the blade. There's a blur of light, and then it's all over. Webb looks down at his watch between Landru emerging from the prison gates and his head dropping into the wicker basket in front of the guillotine. Only 26 seconds have passed. France has rid itself of one of the most prolific serial killers in its history. While millions of other Frenchmen were fighting enemies abroad, Henri Langrou was luring in vulnerable women with promises of a stable marriage. In an unstable time, the police didn't even notice his crimes and didn't want to investigate. And if it weren't for a handful of brave and tenacious women, he might never have been caught and executed on February 25, 1922. Next on History Daily February 26, 1935. Scottish physicist Robert Watson 1 demonstrates radar detection of aircraft, a breakthrough that will prove decisive in World War II. From Noiser and Airship, this is HISTORY Daily hosted, edited and executive produced by me, Lindsey Graham Audio editing by Mohammed Shazi Sound design by Molly Bach Music by Thrum. This episode is written and researched by Hazel May Bryant. Edited by William Simpson Managing producer Emily Byrd Executive producers are William Simpson for Airship and Pascal Hughes for Noiser.

[Lost Traveler]

We're lost. I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions.

[Lindsey Graham (History Daily Narrator)]

Hi there.

[Lost Traveler]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[Helpful Local]

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[Lost Traveler]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[Helpful Local]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge.

[T Mobile Representative]

We're getting the same great signal as

[Helpful Local]

the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee.

[T Mobile Representative]

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[Lost Traveler]

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America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores.

[T Mobile Network Analyst]

Best mobile network Based on analysis by Ookle of speed test intelligence data at 2H 2025. Bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. See t mobile.com for details.