MARRAKESH — 1906 · Serial Murder
The Marrakesh Cobbler Murders
In the spring of 1906 a number of young women began disappearing in Marrakesh, Morocco. The family of one missing woman traced her last movements to the shop of an elderly cobbler and public letter-writer in the old medina. A search reportedly uncovered the remains of 36 women in a pit beneath the shop and in his garden, according to press reports of the time. He had lured his victims to the shop with the help of an elderly female accomplice and killed them for their money, often very small sums. He confessed and was executed in June 1906. The case drew wide international press coverage because of the punishment imposed.
- Date
- 1906
- Place
- Medina, Marrakesh, Marrakesh, MA
- Category
- Serial Murder
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- 31.6295, -7.9811 ↗
Timeline of Events
- April 1906The disappearance of young women in Marrakesh was noticed.
- April 1906A family's inquiries led to a search of the cobbler's shop; remains were found.
- May 1906The killer confessed and was sentenced to death.
- June 1906He was executed in Marrakesh.
Sources
- Yabiladi — Hadj Mohammed Mesfewi, the Morocco serial killer en.yabiladi.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Hadj Mohammed Mesfewi en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Yabiladi
- Wikipedia
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. 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.