François Vergniaud Sentenced to Life for 2020 Murder and Rape of Teen in Nantes

The court has imposed a life sentence with a 22-year minimum term on Vergniaud, a repeat offender, for the brutal crime against 15-year-old Céleste.

François Vergniaud, 50, was convicted of raping and murdering Céleste, a 15-year-old, in a deserted building in Nantes on August 20, 2020.
The court handed down the maximum sentence of life imprisonment with a 22-year period of security, preventing any parole or sentence reduction.
Vergniaud had previously been convicted in 2005 for multiple sexual offenses, including nine rapes and three attempted rapes.
The crime involved extreme brutality, with Vergniaud attempting to destroy evidence by cleaning the victim's body with bleach and setting a fire.
The sentencing took place amid public support for Céleste's family, highlighting the community's demand for justice.