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Marcel ChevalierThe Last State Executioner of France
Date of Birth: 28.02.1921
Country:  France |
Content:
Biography of Marcel Chevalier
Marcel Chevalier was the last state executioner of France. He began earning his first money at the age of 13, working in a printing house. In 1958, Marcel became the assistant to his uncle, Andre Obrecht, who served as the chief executioner of France until September 30, 1976. On the following day, Marcel assumed the position and held it until 1981.
During his career, Marcel carried out a total of about forty executions, but in his new role as the chief executioner, he only executed two individuals. On June 23, 1977, Jérôme Carrein, who was convicted of rape and murder of a child, was beheaded in Dua. On October 10, 1977, Hamida Djandoubi, who was convicted of torture and murder of a 21-year-old woman named Elizabeth Buske, was executed in the Bomett prison in Marseille. Djandoubi became the last person to be executed by guillotine.
Marcel Chevalier was married to Marcelle Obrecht, with whom he tied the knot on June 12, 1948. They had two children, and their son Eric was present during the executions of Carrein and Djandoubi. Eric later succeeded his father as the state executioner of France.
After his retirement, Marcel worked in a printing house. He initially enjoyed giving interviews, but soon became unpleasantly surprised and disappointed by the sensationalist portrayal of his work in the press. Since then, the former executioner refused to discuss any details of his experience with the guillotine with journalists.
