SCHULL — 1996 · Unsolved Case
The Sophie Toscan du Plantier Case
Sophie Toscan du Plantier, a 39-year-old French film producer from Paris, was found dead at the entrance of her holiday home near Schull, West Cork, on the morning of 23 December 1996. The Garda investigation stalled without charges, and later reviews found serious flaws in the original inquiry. In 2019 a man was convicted in absentia in France, but Ireland refused extradition and he died in 2024. The Garda Serious Crime Review Team has been re-examining the case since 2022, including new DNA testing of original samples.
- Date
- 1996
- Place
- County Cork, Ireland, Schull, IE
- Category
- Unsolved Case
- Case Status
- Under Investigation
- Coordinates
- 51.5200, -9.6200 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 23 December 1996Du Plantier was found dead outside her home.
- 2019A trial in absentia concluded in France.
- June 2022Gardaí launched a full cold-case review.
- 2025New DNA tests were run on original evidence.
Sources
- The Irish Times — Cold case review team hopeful forensics help irishtimes.com ↗
- RTÉ — Gardaí issue fresh appeal over du Plantier murder rte.ie ↗
- The Irish Times
- RTÉ
Source grade B: at least one verifiable linked source. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.