Authorities found the bodies of Aurelie and Christophe in a bedroom near Paris. They found the victims naked and riddled with bullets. Investigators gathered up 18 gun casings from the house.
Police traced the weapon to Charles Dietrich. He bought the gun in Colorado back in 2019. This evidence pointed directly at him.
The Suspect’s Background
Charles Dietrich resided in Colorado and was experiencing marital separation with his wife, Aurelie. The two separated in 2015 and fought for custody of their three daughters. Aurelie was the primary custodian in France.
Dietrich also secretly visited France in July 2020. He remained away for less than 48 hours without informing his family and daughters, who separately came to the US to visit him for summer.
The Motive
Prosecutors have argued that Dietrich planned the murders to regain custody, believing Aurelie stole their children and that her death was the only solution.
The prosecutor likened the act to a private war. She pointed out that he was methodically planning it. The court saw premeditation in his actions.
The Trial
Throughout the proceedings, Dietrich proclaimed his innocence. He adamantly maintained that someone framed him. However security footage revealed a person in disguise near the home.
However, ballistics tests showed the origin of the gun. Police retrieved the weapon frame from a river. The evidence mounted against his defense.
The Verdict and Sentence
On Friday, the court found Dietrich guilty. The judges sentenced him to 30 years in prison, they also deprived him of his parental rights. The judge reproached him for his lack of remorse. He pointed out that Dietrich has failed as a father. With these words, justice was finally done and the case was closed.
