Today, we bring you a story that will leave no one unmoved. The graphic novel Grégory is set to be released on October 3, 2024, with a preface written by Jean-Marie Villemin. The father of little Grégory, the murdered child, has not commented on the case since the publication of his own book in 1994. He has been silent for many years, aside from a few words in the postscript of a book in 2021; the last time he spoke publicly was in 2006, in an interview with La Croix. But as the 40th anniversary of the tragic event that forever changed his life approaches, Jean-Marie Villemin will break his silence once more. As reported by RTL on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Villemin will share his story in a graphic novel where he appears as the main character. Now 66, he is writing the preface for Grégory, a graphic novel inspired by the unsolved case, one of the most notorious judicial mysteries of the last century in France, which will be published by Les Arènes in October.
The book, written by Pat Perna and illustrated by Christophe Gaultier, focuses primarily on the trial of Jean-Marie Villemin, who was sentenced in 1993 to five years in prison (one year suspended) for the murder of his cousin, Bernard Laroche. Laroche was a suspect at the time of his son’s murder. Grégory: 40 years after the child’s body was discovered, the investigation continues – L’Humanité. The murder trial of Jean-Marie Villemin is at the heart of this graphic novel.
To recall, young Grégory Villemin was found dead in the Vologne River on October 16, 1984, with his hands and feet bound just hours after he went missing. Tragically, justice for the four-year-old boy has never been achieved.
Forty years later, the identity of his murderer remains a mystery: it is still unknown who is behind the infamous “Corbeau,” who harassed the family for years. “The graphic novel focuses on the trial, ten years after the tragedy. In the witness stand, overwhelmed by grief, Jean-Marie Villemin recounts this ordeal. Between negotiations and prison, Grégory’s father remembers the happy days of a young couple who succeeded: a rapid promotion to foreman for Jean-Marie, the beauty and zest for life of Christine, their sweet and mischievous child Grégory, and their new home,” writes the publisher in a statement.
The Grégory case—It also goes on to say: “These two months of negotiations also explore the mystery. All the individuals involved are present.
I expect Murielle [Bolle] to tell the truth about my child’s death,” declares Jean-Marie. The court mobilizes its forces. The jurors cry and ask questions. The lawyers engage in fierce verbal battles. Witnesses lie without shame. This highly anticipated work will likely see Jean-Marie Villemin describe his own feelings about this aspect of the case.
Additionally, another graphic novel—Le Corbeau: The Grégory Villemin Case (published by Petit à petit)—will also be released at the same time. This one, which recounts the entire story, will be available in bookstores starting October 2, 2024. You can find an interview with the authors in Femme Actuelle.
