The killer used cyanide and burned the body in the fireplace.

Pretending to organize the escape of people from war-torn Europe, the man known as the "Devil Doctor" lured dozens of victims into his deadly trap.

Doctor Devil Marcel Andre Henri Felix Petitot. Photo: Lineup

The case of Marcel Andre Henri Felix Petiot, who was executed by beheading for murdering 26 people and suspected of causing the deaths of dozens more, remains shrouded in mystery. His extremely brutal criminal record earned him nicknames such as "The Devil Doctor," "Paris Werewolf," or "The Cruel Devil," according to Lineup.

Theft and embezzlement of public funds

Born in 1897 in Auxerre, France, Petiot's youth was marked by a series of crimes, mostly petty ones. He was first diagnosed with mental illness in 1914 at the age of 17. In 1916, he volunteered to join the French army during World War I.

After being wounded on the battlefield, Petiot was sent back to a rehabilitation center, where he was arrested and imprisoned for stealing morphine and other military supplies. He received a second mental health diagnosis around this time. However, in 1918, he was allowed to return to the front lines. Shortly afterward, Petiot was accused of self-harming his foot with a grenade. He received a third mental health diagnosis and was discharged from the army with disability benefits.

After the war, Petiot enrolled in an accelerated medical education program. He completed the program in eight months and completed his internship at a psychiatric hospital in the town of Evreux, where he received his medical degree in 1921.

Petiot is alleged to have stolen addictive anesthetics for his own use and to distribute to patients. He also performed illegal abortions and stole everything from a stone cross to money from the treasury of the town of Evreux.

In 1926, Petiot began dating Louise Delaveau, the daughter of one of his patients. Delaveau disappeared shortly after their relationship began. Although Petiot never officially admitted involvement in the disappearance, experts believe Delaveau may have been his first victim. Neighbors reported seeing Petiot loading a chest into his car around the time of her disappearance.

In the same year, Petiot shifted his focus to politics and successfully ran for election, becoming mayor of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, Yonne province. Once again, he abused his power for personal gain and embezzled public funds.

In 1927, Petiot married the daughter of a wealthy local butcher. They had a son. During his time as mayor, he continued to engage in shady civil dealings. After numerous accusations of illegal activities, Petiot was suspended from his position and eventually resigned as mayor in 1931. However, he still managed to secure a seat on the Yonne provincial council in 1932. Just a few months later, he was forced to leave the council for stealing electricity from the town of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne.

Setting a trap to kill someone.

Petit at his trial. Photo: Lineup

When his political career ended, Petiot moved to Paris. There, he forged medical certificates to present himself as a skilled doctor. This deception proved effective. His reputation attracted many patients. In 1936, he was given the authority to issue death certificates. However, rumors of his fraudulent practices, such as illegal abortions and overprescribing medication, resurfaced.

According to his confession, Petiot worked for the French Resistance throughout the French occupation. He planted booby traps, developed weapons of mass destruction that left no forensic evidence, and met with high-ranking Allied commanders. Petiot was certified as a source for the independent intelligence organization Pond's by Colonel John F. Grombach, former director of Pond's. Pond's was established by the U.S. government in 1942 and ceased operations in 1955.

Petiot claimed to run a secret escape route during the French occupation. Operating under the pseudonym Doctor Eugene, Petiot told French Resistance fighters, Jewish refugees, and those wanted by the Nazis that he could help them escape from war-torn Europe to Argentina. He charged 25,000 francs per person wishing to travel to Argentina.

Of course, the invitation was a trap. Petiot told his victims they needed vaccinations before going to Argentina. He took advantage of this opportunity to inject them with the highly toxic cyanide. He then stole their valuables and threw their bodies into the Seine River, buried them in quicklime, or threw them into the fireplace at his house.

In March 1944, neighbors complained about a foul odor emanating from Petiot's house on Le Sueur Street in Paris, as well as toxic smoke coming from his chimney. Authorities summoned Petiot for questioning. Upon inspecting Petiot's house, they found the remains of numerous victims, including charred human body parts smoldering in the fireplace.

Petiot evaded capture for a short time by using a false name and growing a beard. He was arrested in October 1940 on murder charges. His trial took place in March 1946, and news of the trial became the focus of the press at the time. From beginning to end, Petiot steadfastly maintained his innocence and claimed to have only killed "enemies of France," German soldiers, and some double agents.

However, authorities found no connection between Petiot and the French Resistance movement. Many of the French Resistance groups Petiot mentioned and the feats he claimed to have accomplished while working for the movement never existed.

Ultimately, the court found Petitot guilty of 26 counts of murder and robbery. Many believe the actual number of victims may have been as high as 60. On May 25, 1946, he was executed by guillotine.

The guillotine was dismantled after Petiot's execution. Photo: boisdejustice.com

According to VNE