History Daily The Execution of France’s “Lonely Hearts Killer”
Feb 25, 2026
A chilling early 20th century murder case centered on a lonely hearts scheme and sudden disappearances. Neighbors notice strange nighttime activity near a pond. Women team up to investigate and pressure police. Investigators uncover notebooks, burned bone fragments, and unsettling evidence that led to a dramatic public execution.
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How Landrau Used Lonely Hearts Ads To Target Women
- Henri Landrau lured women with lonely-hearts ads during World War I, promising marriage and financial security.
- Victims like Celestine Buisson and Anna were wooed, moved away, then vanished, prompting their sisters' persistent investigations.
Police Bias Delayed The Investigation
- Police initially dismissed missing-women reports because working-class women were seen as unreliable witnesses.
- Persistent relatives disguised complaints under a respected name to force a half-hearted investigation and later uncovered Landrau's trail.
Shop Window Sighting Led To Landrau's Arrest
- A chance sighting by Marie's friend at a crockery shop provided the break: she recognized Landrau and took his card.
- Police arrested him April 12, 1919, revealing his alias and a notebook listing multiple missing women.