Monster of Avignon is linked with FIVE cold cases involving female estate agents including four savage rapes and a murder in towns across France

The Monster of Avignon Dominique Pelicot has been linked with five new cold cases including the murder of a woman in Marseille, it has emerged.

Detectives at France’s Cold Case Bureau have identified the rape of four women and the murder of another that appear to bear a striking resemblance to Pelicot’s modus operandi, according to reports in France.

The cases include the murder of an estate agent, referred to only as Christine B, in Marseille who was found strangled at her office in the Berre-l’Etang district of the city in May 2000.

The other women were also estate agents and were all held at knife point during savage sexual assaults in towns across France between 1994 and 2004.

Detectives from the Cold Case Bureau, based in the Paris suburb Nanterre, identified similarities between these crimes and two other cases – one attempted rape and one murder – in which Pelicot has been implicated.

Dominique Pelicot 9pictured) has been linked with five new cold cases including the murder of a woman in Marseille

Pelicot's wife Gisele, is seen during the trial of her husband in Avignon on October 1

Pelicot’s wife Gisele, is seen during the trial of her husband in Avignon on October 1 

Dominique Pélicot has been accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over 10 years

Dominique Pélicot has been accused of recruiting men online to assault his wife repeatedly over 10 years

These are the rape and murder of Sophie Narme, 23, 1991 and the attempted rape of another estate agent, a woman aged just 19, in May 1999, both in Paris suburbs, close to where Pelicot was living at the time.

The retired electrician has admitted being the author of the attempted rape in which he held the terrified woman at knife point after making a bogus appointment to view a flat to rent, after he was presented with DNA evidence.

The young woman only escaped when she managed to break free of the ropes he had tied her up with and locked herself in a store cupboard.

But Pelicot denies the rape and murder of estate agent Sophie Narme who was also lured to an appointment to view a property by a bogus buyer and was then anaesthetised and repeatedly stabbed before being strangled with her Chanel belt.

The five new cases – one murder and four rapes – all involve attacks on estate agents and the use of a knife.

Gisele Pelicot, 71, (pictured arriving at court) was routinely sedated without her knowledge by her depraved husband Dominique at their retirement chalet in Mazan

Gisele Pelicot, 71, (pictured arriving at court) was routinely sedated without her knowledge by her depraved husband Dominique at their retirement chalet in Mazan

The Pelicot home in the village of Mazan, now known as the house of horrors

The Pelicot home in the village of Mazan, now known as the house of horrors

Abuse took place in the town of Mazan, south of France, and was only uncovered after Pelicot was caught up-skirting women in a local supermarket, prompting officers to search his home

Abuse took place in the town of Mazan, south of France, and was only uncovered after Pelicot was caught up-skirting women in a local supermarket, prompting officers to search his home

Dominique Pelicot, who has allegedly drugged and raped his wife Gisele Pelicot, appears during his trial on September 17 (right)

Dominique Pelicot, who has allegedly drugged and raped his wife Gisele Pelicot, appears during his trial on September 17 (right)

Dominique Pelicot is standing trial in Avignon along with 50 other men for the aggravated rape of his wife Gisele over ten years up to 2020.

The 71-year-old has admitted drugging her with powerful sedatives and then inviting dozens of men to their home in a picturesque village in Provence to rape her while he filmed and took photographs.

Most of his co-defendants deny rape and claim they believed they were taking part in a sex game in with Madame Pelicot pretended to be asleep.

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