In the closed door of a small room in the Paris court, the fate of a 17-year-old criminal case may have been at stake. Just extracted from her cell in Fleury-Mérogis, Monique Olivier, the ex-wife of Michel Fourniret, talks with her longtime lawyer, Me Richard Delgenes. It is not yet 11 am and in a few minutes, the former accomplice of the Ogre des Ardennes will face the judge Sabine Khéris, responsible for hearing the Estelle Mouzin case, disappeared on January 9, 2003 in Guermantes ( Seine et Marne).
Fleece jacket on the shoulders, the septuagenarian seems in good spirits and delves into her memory. His lawyer scribbles a few notes that will serve as a framework for Monique Olivier. As soon as she entered the judge's office on the 13th floor of the Paris court, she asked to read this spontaneous statement.
The first words are, 17 years after the disappearance of Estelle Mouzin, a giant step towards the truth: “I think that Michel Fourniret has indeed killed Estelle Mouzin. In her statement to the judge, several minutes long and delivered in a tone without particular emotion, Monique Olivier lists the elements that accuse her ex-husband, indicted since November 27 last.
Disturbing locations before the abduction
"She explained to the judge that Estelle Mouzin had the typical profile of the subjects Michel Fourniret was looking for", details Me Richard Delgenes. Above all, Monique Olivier was more precise than last November 21 regarding the famous phone call made from the couple's home in Sart-Custine (Belgium) which has long served as an alibi for Michel Fourniret: now, she dates it precisely on the day of Estelle Mouzin's disappearance.
Frank but always on the edge, able to close if she feels rushed, Monique Olivier has, with Sabine Khéris, calm discussions. This Friday, she goes further than ever, evoking "in the days before the kidnapping" of Estelle Mouzin, "scouting done by Michel Fourniret on one or two young girls". And to deliver this freezing memory of an evening when her husband finds the marital home satisfied with having "spotted a beautiful little subject". For her, there is no doubt, it is Estelle Mouzin, 9 years old at the time.
"The feeling that we have advanced more in six hours than in ten years"
Long suspected of the disappearance of the girl, Michel Fourniret finds himself in fact in a unique position in this case. For the first time, his ex-wife incriminates him directly. A situation that has always revolted the Ogre of the Ardennes, annoyed to see Monique Olivier take control of the destiny of the infernal couple.
"This is an important step forward," assures Me Delgenes. I have the feeling that we have advanced more in six hours than in ten years. This criminal couple has been forged over years, it takes time to break through the armor, but things are moving forward. "Also aware of the major step that constitutes the interrogation this Friday, Me Corinne Herrmann, lawyer Eric Mouzin, welcomes" a step on the path of truth. Monique Olivier makes efforts that must be saluted, we need her. She seems determined to help families, it's positive. "
