The results of the autopsy leave little room for doubt as to the will to kill. Twelve stab wounds were made to Patrice Charlemagne, 51, during the night from Sunday to Monday at his home in Rosendaël, in Dunkirk (North). While investigators were put on the trail of a violent burglary by the victim’s partner, the cards were reshuffled when Justine J., 37, confessed to the murder of her partner in police custody, according to information revealed by AFP on Thursday.
One was a university professor, the other elected to town hall. The couple formed by Patrice Charlemagne and Justine J. were struggling. Return to the known elements of the investigation.
The first lead to the burglary
Around 4 a.m. Monday, police received a call from a panicked woman reporting a burglary in her home. There were two of them, according to this woman, who managed to escape with her 20-month-old baby. It was only once outside the house that the mother called the emergency services. Justine J. specifies that she did not sleep in the parental bedroom, according to The voice of the North. On site, the police found, upstairs, the inert body of Patrice Charlemagne, his companion, pierced with numerous stab wounds. The autopsy revealed a total of twelve blows to the victim, to the carotid artery, chest and abdomen.
As part of the investigation opened Monday for intentional homicide, and entrusted to the judicial police, searches are being carried out in the surroundings of the crime scene. Several materials, apparently linked to the case, were found near the house: gloves, a flashlight, two bloody knives, a laptop belonging to the couple. So many elements that can convince investigators to focus on this burglary trail.
Disturbing elements in the partner’s confessions
However, they have not completely eclipsed other possibilities. Especially since other clues will sow doubt. On Wednesday, Justine J. was in fact placed in police custody “after examination of the testimonies, declarations, technical and scientific findings”, explains the Dunkirk public prosecutor’s office in a press release. “The purpose of this measure is to compare his version of the facts with the elements collected in the investigation,” adds prosecutor Charlotte Huet.
While in police custody, the partner who became a suspect was confronted with this suspicious material, until she confessed to the murder, according to a source close to the investigation who spoke to AFP. Among these clues, “a cut on his left hand which corresponded to that of a glove found on site”, “the analysis of the smartphones which suggested tensions between the couple”, as well as “inconsistencies in the account of the facts », develops the source.
These tensions in the couple are also recounted by those close to Patrice Charlemagne cited by The voice of the North, according to which the victim confided a lot about her relationship problems. “Police custody is in progress and will be extended,” said the prosecutor this Thursday. 20 minutes. The Dunkirk public prosecutor’s office will communicate at the end of this custody, “probably” on Friday, she adds.
Intellectuals active in community life
Justine J. has been elected since June 2020 on the list of Patrice Vergriete, mayor of Dunkirk and now Minister Delegate for Housing. She thus sits at the town hall as municipal councilor responsible for public reading and heritage, specifies the city website. Beyond her political commitment, she is an intellectual, certified with a doctorate in French literature and lecturer at the University of the Littoral (ULCO), according to The voice of the North. The suspect would also have taught at the college, adds BFMTV Grand littoral. In addition to these professional activities, Justine J. is a writer, particularly in children’s literature. Active in the cultural life of the region and passionate about the democratization of culture, according to the description of The voice of the North, She made presentations in schools of different levels and meetings with local authors. We also find his name signing press releases from the local association. The Littœrales.
A career led alongside an equally educated man. Patrice Charlemagne was an academic in German and taught, like his partner, at the Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale. This language enthusiast also taught Dutch and is described by his colleagues and students, cited by Le Figaroas a “human and passionate teacher with an offbeat humor”.
According to daily information, he became director of the university’s “marketing techniques” department. Music was also one of his passions. A “passionate” saxophone player who “had the desire to create, to compose, to seek the best tones, the perfect notes”, as described by one tribute paid to the professor on Facebook.