Kill List: Episode 9 – "Nancy"
Release Date: November 12, 2024
Host/Author: Wondery | Novel

Introduction

"Kill List" is a gripping true-crime podcast series by Wondery and Novel that delves into the dark corners of the internet where murder-for-hire plots are born. In Episode 9, titled "Nancy," host Carl Miller uncovers a harrowing story of domestic violence, institutional failure, and the relentless pursuit of justice. This episode focuses on Melanie Vien, a young waitress in Nancy, France, whose life becomes endangered after she resolves to end her tumultuous relationship with Ahmed, her abusive boyfriend.

Melanie's Story: Relationship with Ahmed

Melanie Vien, a 23-year-old waitress at the upscale L'Excelsior brasserie in Nancy, finds herself in a controlling and violent relationship with Ahmed, a man five years her senior with roots in Chad and the Ivory Coast. Their relationship, which began passionately in August 2018, took a dark turn after they moved to Luxembourg in April 2019. Isolated from her family and grappling with Ahmed's increasing dominance, Melanie describes her life as "like being in prison."

Notable Quote:

Melanie (Romain at 01:49): "I'm fed up, it's over, I'm going to work and then I don't want to see you ever again."

Ahmed's control escalated to physical violence and alleged rape, leaving Melanie feeling trapped and helpless. Despite several police complaints, the authorities failed to take substantive action, leaving Melanie vulnerable to continuous harassment and threats.

On the Darkness: Discovering the Kill List

Carl Miller, a tech journalist, and his team specialize in monitoring the dark web to prevent murders orchestrated through online platforms. Their breakthrough came when they infiltrated a scam murder-for-hire website, uncovering what they termed the "kill list." This list contained real individuals like Melanie, who were targets of paid assassinations.

Notable Quote:

Carl Miller (00:28): "It's a story about the voice of one woman and how hard it was for her to be heard."

As Carl navigated the dark web's underbelly, he discovered that Ahmed had paid $7,000 under the alias Zongo54 to have Melanie killed, complete with graphic instructions on how the murder should be executed.

Notable Quote:

Ahmed (02:39): "I'm very angry. I wanted, if it was possible, to strike her blood and cut her both feet."

Reaching Out: Contacting Melanie

Realizing the imminent danger Melanie faced, Carl and his team sought to warn her. Due to language barriers, they enlisted the help of Adelie Posman Ponte, a local French journalist based in Paris. Adelie's intervention was crucial in conveying the threat to Melanie, ensuring she understood the gravity of the situation.

Notable Quote:

Adelie Posman Ponte (15:33): "She's very, very distressed, just so you know. So we're gonna have to be very gentle with her."

Despite the assistance, Melanie was accompanied by her boyfriend Romain during the initial contact, raising concerns about her immediate safety. However, it became clear that her primary fear was Ahmed's retaliation.

Police Investigation and Challenges

The involvement of the police proved to be a significant hurdle. Although Melanie had filed multiple complaints against Ahmed for domestic violence and rape, the authorities were slow to act. Prosecutor Stephane Javet led the investigation, which initially focused on the dark web threat without connecting it directly to Melanie.

Notable Quote:

Stephane Javet (21:34): "I took it very seriously because there was a potential threat of harm to human life, and it is my job to take this kind of threat seriously."

The breakthrough occurred when the team provided the police with private messages and payment evidence linking Ahmed directly to the kill order. This information was pivotal in building a strong case against Ahmed, leading to his eventual arrest and conviction.

Notable Quote:

Stephane Javet (26:17): "I felt that I had enough evidence to prosecute him before court under the legal qualifications of incitement to commit an assassination."

The Trial

The legal proceedings moved at an unprecedented pace, culminating in Ahmed's trial at the Tribunal Correctional de Nancy. Both Melanie and Ahmed were blindsided by the rapid trial schedule, leaving little time for preparation or understanding the charges against them.

During the trial, Melanie was forced to relive her trauma as her rape allegations were detailed in court. Ahmed's defense attorney, Naima Moudniadon, attempted to undermine Melanie's credibility, arguing that the lack of physical evidence made her claims questionable. However, Ahmed's contradictory statements during the trial weakened his defense, leading to his conviction.

Notable Quotes:

Naima Moudniadon (Defense Attorney): "Since the beginning of the MeToo movement, a lot of women are kind of like coming out of the woods with allegations of violence and rape and control and harassment."

Ahmed (Courtroom): "I am completely normal. I don't have any mental health condition, I have lots of friends, I'm not suffering from anything."

Reflections and Conclusions

The episode concludes with reflections on the systemic failures that allowed Melanie's situation to escalate. The combination of domestic violence and cyber-enabled threats exposed significant gaps in how institutions handle such cases. Adelie emphasizes that while Melanie's case involved extreme measures, it reflects a broader, pervasive issue of normalized violence against women.

Notable Quote:

Adelie Posman Ponte (43:04): "This is not just a freak case. It is actually a very normal, basic case of violence against women that happens all over the world."

Carl and his team recognize the gender dynamics at play, noting that women are disproportionately targeted during moments of vulnerability and attempts to escape abusive relationships. The episode underscores the necessity for more robust and empathetic responses from law enforcement and societal institutions to protect and support victims of domestic abuse.

Notable Quote:

Carl Miller (42:31): "The kind of darknet element, which is so scary, you know, a place which is supposed to be hidden, has actually acted more like a spotlight."

Aftermath

Ahmed was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison, half of the potential ten-year penalty for his crimes. Despite the legal victory, Melanie and Romain continue to grapple with the emotional and financial aftermath, striving to rebuild their lives amidst lingering trauma and societal indifference.

Notable Quote:

Adelie Posman Ponte (40:45): "They were trying to move forward. They were trying to, like, rebuild their lives, basically."

The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the intersection between technology and personal lives, highlighting both the threats posed by digital anonymity and the potential for technology to aid in uncovering and preventing real-world violence.

Looking Forward

In the next episode, "Knoxville, Tennessee," the series explores a case that begins as a mystery but evolves into a deeper investigation of the perpetrator's motives and culpability, continuing to illuminate the complex web of factors that lead to murder-for-hire schemes.

Production Credits:
Hosted by Carl Miller.
Reporter: Adelie Posman Ponte.
Produced and written by Tom Wright.
Additional Production: Caroline Thornham, Jake Atajevic, Amalia Sorland, Megan Oyinka, Lina Chang.
Sound Design and Mixing: Nicholas Alexander.
Executive Producers: Sean Glynn, Max O'Brien, Craig Strachan, Marshall Louis, Erin O'Flaherty.

Conclusion

Episode 9 of "Kill List" masterfully intertwines a personal narrative with a broader societal critique, illustrating how individual lives can be entangled in the dark web's sinister operations. Through Melanie's story, the podcast sheds light on the urgent need for systemic change in addressing domestic violence and protecting vulnerable individuals from both physical and cyber threats.