- French pizza chef kills recluse and cooks body parts with vegetables to hide the crime.
- Police find suspects in stolen van with victim’s remains and link them to the murder.
- Chef blames drug and alcohol abuse for failed robbery; verdict expected May 22.
A French pizza chef named Philippe Schneider admitted to killing a man during a failed robbery. The victim, Georges Meichler, was a quiet man who lived alone in the woods near the village of Brasc. Schneider, 69, said he panicked after the crime. He chopped up the body and cooked some of the parts in a pot of vegetables hoping the smell of the vegetables would hide the odor of the body. He also believed it followed a ritual he once learned in Nepal. This shocking case has captured national attention in France.
Two Adults and a Young Gravedigger Stand Trial for the Gruesome Killing
Schneider and his partner, 45-year-old Nathalie Caboubassy, both face serious charges. Police believe they planned the break-in together. Caboubassy denies any role in the murder. A 25-year-old gravedigger also stands trial. Schneider asked him to help cook the human remains. The young man later told the court that Schneider ordered him to make the meat “fall off the bone.” Schneider also told him to say it was just “food for the dog” if anyone asked questions. The court will decide if the gravedigger acted on his own or under pressure.
Failed Robbery Turns Deadly in a Quiet Village
According to Schneider, the plan was simple. He and Caboubassy went to rob Meichler’s home. They tied him up and gagged him. They searched the house for valuables. When they returned, Meichler was dead. Schneider claimed Meichler had suffocated. He told police the death was not intentional. He said things went wrong during the break-in. His partner says she had nothing to do with the robbery or the killing. But police say both helped cover it up.
Pizza Chef Dismembers Body to Avoid Getting Caught
After the killing, Schneider came up with a disturbing plan. He cut up Meichler’s body, burned the head, hands, and feet. He placed other body parts in different places around the area. Some pieces ended up in Meichler’s van. He and Caboubassy drove away in the stolen vehicle. Schneider admitted to cooking parts of the body in a pot with vegetables. He believed the ritual from Nepal would help hide the smell and keep people away from the scene. This part of the story horrified investigators.
Police Catch Suspects After Strange Text and Van Theft
Meichler’s daughter noticed something was wrong. She had not heard from her father. His ex-partner also grew worried. Both contacted the police. The daughter received a strange text from her father’s phone. It said he had gone to Brittany with a friend. She knew something was wrong because her father rarely texted. Police found Schneider and Caboubassy days later. They were driving Meichler’s stolen van. Blood and human remains inside the van confirmed their worst fears. The couple could not explain the evidence.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse May Have Pushed Schneider Over the Edge
Schneider’s lawyer said his client lived a troubled life. He drank too much and smoked cannabis every day. He struggled with addiction and made a terrible choice. His lawyer said the robbery was a crazy idea caused by drugs and alcohol. Schneider now admits full guilt. He told the court he acted alone and said he regrets everything. He described the killing and the cover-up as the biggest mistake of his life. His lawyer said cutting up the body only made things worse and will cost Schneider dearly in court.
All Eyes on the Verdict Expected Later This Month
Schneider faces several serious charges. These include kidnapping that caused death, hiding a corpse, and harming the dignity of the body. Caboubassy and the gravedigger face charges of helping with the crime. The court continues to hear arguments from both sides. The public wants justice for Meichler. The final verdict will come on May 22.
