FLORIAN VARIN: THE CRIMINAL WITH THE ANGEL FACE | Enquêtes criminelles | W9

One night in November 2012, Marie, a young lawyer of 25, is going to sleep over with a girl friend in Toulouse. As she approaches the door, she hears heavy footsteps behind her… She then glimpses a young man of about her own age and who appears to be a respectable sort, which reassures her. A serious mistake because, just seconds later, he swoops on her like an eagle on its prey. Under the attacker’s blows, Marie passes out. When comes to, she realizes that, after raping her, her executioner will probably kill her. However, fate will prove otherwise: left for dead in a garbage dumpster, Marie is actually very much alive. And it’s thanks to her evidence that the man will be identified. Marie’s attacker’s name is Florian Varin; he’s just 21. And investigators discover to their dismay that, despite his tender years, this is not a trial run: in just 10 months, between December 2011 and November 2012, he raped 7 women, from Rennes to Toulouse. Deeds for which he got 30 years jail time at two trials, in 2015 and 2018. But in a dramatic and highly rare circumstance in the justice system, a third trial will be held in October 2021. An extra ordeal for his victims, who fear that fresh arguments put forward by the defence may lead to a more lenient sentence. However, the Varin case may not have yielded up all its secrets. Because the shadow of the predator hovers menacingly over the murder of a woman: Céline Giboire. This pretty 16-year-old was found dead, raped and covered in blows at the foot of a cliff at Saint-Malo on February 27 2012. And not only was Florian Varin still at liberty on that day, but his grandfather lives in that small Breton community. Worse still, the young man’s credit card is found near the scene of the crime! Same MO, same victim profile, the date and scene of crime match… The Varin lead is a serious one. But is it enough to reopen the investigation?