Last Call (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)

In the fall of 2010, near Paris, France, a detective was sifting through a dresser drawer, searching for evidence. What he found—five cell phones—led him to a collection of disturbing photos, hinting at a dark and mysterious crime. This chilling discovery sets the stage for the murder of Natalie Viermé, a case that would unravel a web of deceit, obsession, and betrayal.

The Discovery of a Body

On the morning of October 15, 2010, a man walking along a wooded road, about a 30-minute drive from Paris, stumbled upon a gruesome sight. Peering into a ditch, he spotted a pair of women's boots sticking out from a pile of branches. As he investigated further, he realized these weren't just boots; they were on the feet of a woman. The man immediately called the police.

Colonel Joel Ferry of the local criminal investigations unit arrived at the scene. The victim, a middle-aged woman, was lying face down, her hands tied behind her back with a belt. Her face was severely disfigured, as if smashed by a heavy object. The significant amount of blood on her face and head, contrasted with the lack of blood elsewhere in the ditch, suggested she had been killed elsewhere and then dumped at this location. Signs of a struggle, including scratches on her hands and ripped clothing, indicated a violent encounter. Further down the ditch, another officer discovered a thick, heavy branch, resembling a club, smeared with blood. This was believed to be the murder weapon, suggesting a brutal and personal attack.