Police search for suspected brother after Dijon apartment killing
Police are searching for a 24-year-old man suspected of killing his sister in Dijon and injuring their mother.
Event / Politics
France Violence Against Women Crisis
Ongoing documentation of intimate partner violence statistics and femicide cases in France, including policy responses and protective measures.
4 reported locations
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8 articles0 articles
2026-09-22 to 2026-10-28 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Sept, 14:58 UTC
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What happened
The 60-year-old mother of the deceased woman was seriously injured with a life-threatening prognosis
The mother, aged 60, was injured in the same incident in Dijon and suffered serious wounds, including to the head and upper limbs. The prosecutor stated that her prognosis is life-threatening.
Dijon prosecutor opens a flagrante delicto investigation for murder and attempted murder of an ascendant
The Dijon prosecutor's office opened a flagrante delicto investigation into murder and attempted murder of an ascendant, a family member in the direct ascending line. The investigation was assigned to the Dijon judicial police.
A 21-year-old woman was killed in an apartment in Dijon in a suspected intrafamily violence incident
A 21-year-old woman died in an apartment in Dijon, Côte-d'Or, during the night of Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 October 2026. The Dijon prosecutor's office described the context as intrafamily violence.
The 24-year-old brother of the deceased woman is suspected and left before police arrived
The 24-year-old brother of the deceased woman is a suspect in the case. He left the apartment before police arrived around 3 a.m. on 25 October 2026.
Preliminary findings indicate both victims were struck with a metal object
According to preliminary findings, both victims were struck with a metal object. A traction bar with traces of blood was found in the apartment.
Police are actively searching for the suspected brother
As of publication, the 24-year-old suspected brother of the deceased woman has not been located, and an active search by authorities is underway.
Majority of intimate partner homicides occur in home settings
Seventy-six percent of femicides and intimate partner homicides in France occur in the home of the couple, victim, or perpetrator. The study documented 52 cases involving bladed weapons and 30 involving firearms. More than one-quarter of the incidents (26%) were preceded by disputes, and 22% occurred in the context of rejected separations.
Perpetrators of intimate partner homicides predominantly male and French nationals
The typical perpetrator of intimate partner homicide is male, most often in a relationship with the victim, holds French nationality, and is either unemployed or no longer employed. The median age is 50 years, with a notable concentration among perpetrators aged 30-39 and a significant decline in perpetrators aged 70 and above compared to 2024.
Over one-third of femicide victims had previously experienced intimate partner violence
Thirty-seven percent of women killed by intimate partners in 2025 had previously experienced violence from their partner. Of these prior victims, 61% had reported the violence to police or gendarmerie, and among those who reported, 88% had filed formal complaints. Only two victims had protection measures in place: one with a 'grave danger telephone' protection device and another with a 'Monshérif' alert button enabling discrete notification of predefined contacts with location sharing.
111 women killed by intimate partners in France during 2025
In 2025, 111 women were killed by their current or former intimate partners in France, representing a 4% increase compared to 2024 when 107 such deaths were recorded. This continues an upward trend following 96 femicides in 2023. Women constitute 82% of the 136 total violent deaths within intimate relationships recorded by law enforcement in 2025, with 25 men also killed. On average, one death is recorded every three days.
Nine child deaths linked to intimate partner violence in France in 2025
Nine infanticides occurred within contexts of intimate partner homicide or intimate partner violence in France during 2025, according to Interior Ministry data.
435 attempted homicides within intimate relationships recorded in France in 2025
French law enforcement recorded 435 attempted homicides within intimate relationships during 2025, according to the annual national study from the Interior Ministry published on October 14, 2026.
Woman stabbed to death near Promenade des Anglais in Nice
A 34-year-old woman was fatally stabbed on October 8, 2026, around 1:00 PM in the Magnan district near the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France. The victim suffered multiple stab wounds including two wounds to the neck and two to the thorax. Emergency services were called but could not save her life. She was the mother of two young children, including a 3-month-old baby.
Brazilian woman stabbed to death near Nice in late September
A 25-year-old Brazilian woman was stabbed to death in late September 2026 near Nice. Her body was discovered during a customs check at a highway rest stop in a vehicle belonging to her ex-partner, who was placed under formal investigation and detained.
107 women killed by intimate partners in France in 2024
According to data from France's Interministerial Mission for the Protection of Women (Miprof), 107 women were killed by their intimate partners or ex-partners in 2024, compared to 96 in 2023, representing an 11% increase year-over-year.
Woman's 40-year-old Ukrainian husband arrested for fatal stabbing
A 40-year-old man of Ukrainian nationality was arrested on October 8, 2026, in connection with the fatal stabbing of his wife in Nice. He was placed in police custody as part of a homicide investigation. According to reports, the suspect himself called the police to report the killing.
25-year-old man arrested in connection with fatal stabbing
A 25-year-old man, identified as the victim's companion, was arrested at the scene of the stabbing in Courbevoie. Police officers used electric stun guns twice to subdue him when he resisted arrest. He was placed in police custody at the Nanterre police station and was to be presented before an investigating judge for examination on charges of murder.
37-year-old woman killed in stabbing attack in Courbevoie
A 37-year-old woman was found dead in her apartment in Courbevoie, Hauts-de-Seine during the night of Saturday to Sunday, September 27-28, 2026. She sustained approximately 50 stab wounds inflicted with a knife. Emergency responders attempted to provide medical care but were unable to revive her before she could be transported to hospital.
France recorded 107 femicides in 2024, up 11% from 2023
According to data from the Interministerial Mission for the Protection of Women (Miprof), France recorded 107 femicides in 2024, compared to 96 in 2023, representing an 11% increase. Femicides are defined as killings of women by their current or former intimate partners.
Incident classified as femicide by French police
French police classified the killing as a femicide, characterizing it as a homicide committed against a woman by her intimate partner. The circumstances involved domestic violence with a knife weapon.
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2 alternative perspectives
France reports 111 femicide deaths and 435 attempted homicides in 2025
France documented 111 femicide deaths and 435 attempted intimate partner homicides in 2025.
Two women fatally stabbed in Nice within weeks
Nice records two women killed by stabbing in weeks; Ukrainian man arrested.
France femicides rise 11 percent to 107 deaths in 2024
France recorded 107 femicides in 2024, up 11 percent year-over-year.
Arrest made in fatal stabbing of 37-year-old woman in Courbevoie
Man arrested after 37-year-old woman killed in stabbing; case classified as femicide.
France records 107 femicide deaths by intimate partners in 2024
France documented 107 femicide deaths by intimate partners during 2024.
Man arrested after 53-year-old woman found dead in Dijon apartment
Man arrested after woman found dead in Dijon apartment with injuries.
France advances digital sexual violence protections with sweeping legislation
France expands sexual violence law with digital protections, deepfake criminalization, and increased penalties.