Corpse hidden for 30 years found during renovation of $41.2 million French mansion

“A 30-year-old corpse was discovered in the basement of a mid-18th century Paris mansion, which sold for $41.2 million this year.” 

Following the discovery of a 30-year-old corpse, French authorities have opened up a murder investigation. The mansion had been abandoned since the mid-18th century. 

“Historically, it is an important building. Many people lived there, including poet François Coppée,” Sabine Lebreton, the vice-president of Association pour la Sauvegarde du Site de la Rue Oudinot, a local association dedicated to preserving the neighborhood, told CNN.

French officials stated that the body was discovered on February 26 and the criminal unit received investigations shortly after. A lawyer in charge of the house’s auction stated that the body was found in a place where no one had visited, the cellar. The lawyer also stated that he doubts the uncovering of the corpse will have an impact on the case given the time frame. 

See Barbara Wojazer, Benjamin Berteau, and Amy Woodyatt, Corpse hidden for 30 years found during renovation of $41.2 million French mansion, CNN, August 11, 2020.