Teenager, 19, kills ‘paedophile priest who abused him’ by ramming a crucifix down his throat and suffocating him in France
- Alexandre V. attacked 91-year-old Catholic priest at his home in Agnetz, Oise
- Roger Matassoli had been accused of abusing at least four boys from 1960-2000
- Attacker has been charged with torture, murder and resisting arrest
A 19-year-old housekeeper has killed a suspected paedophile priest who allegedly abused him by ramming a crucifix down his throat and suffocating him.
Alexandre V., whose full name has not been disclosed, attacked 91-year-old Catholic Roger Matassoli while working at the holy figure’s home in Agnetz, Oise, northern France.
The man was charged for torture, murder and resisting arrest, but had to be transferred to hospital when he was arrested on psychiatric grounds, after he was caught fleeing the scene in the victim’s car.
Matassoli had been accused of sexually abusing at least four boys including the victim’s father between 1960 and 2000.
Alexandre V., whose full name has not been released, attacked the 91-year-old Catholic Roger Matassoli at the holy figure’s home in Agnetz, Oise, northern France. (stock image)
The priest was found dead by officers with signs of torture on his body and appearing to have suffered asphyxiation.
The incident took place on November 4, but the attacker was not formally charged until December 26. The suspect was employed by the victim as a housekeeper.
The suspect’s father – named as Stephane by French media – was allegedly abused by the priest as a child as was the suspect.
Stephane’s father killed himself when he learnt about the abuse, and Alexandre also tried to kill himself following the abuse, French reports have claimed.
‘This man has shattered a whole family,’ Stephane said.
Police are pursuing their investigation based on the hypothesis that this was an act of revenge, according to local media.
The priest had been accused of abusing at least four boys including the attacker and the attackers father (Stock image)
The suspect has indicated to investigators having no recollection of the events he is suspected of having committed.
After the priest’s murder, Beauvais bishop Jacques Benoit-Gonnin said Roger Matassoli had been removed from his duties in 2009 after abuse allegations emerged.
However, conflicting local media reports also state that 2009 was the year that the priest retired due to old age.
It also later emerged that bishop Jacques Benoit-Gonnin allegedly kept Matassoli on the payroll until 2018, when he took Alexandre and Stephane’s testimony into consideration, as well as the testimony of at least two other alleged victims, still according to local media.
Reports allege that the priest had been allowed to carry on working due to ‘ecclesiastical errors’ and due to a succession of bishops putting off dealing with the issue.