In the annals of crime, some figures emerge like dark shadows, capturing public imagination with their mystery and cruelty. Albert Pel, often dubbed the « Big Brother of Landru » for his similarities to the infamous French serial killer, is one of these enigmatic figures. His story, though less known than Landru’s, offers a disturbing glimpse into the darkness of the human soul.
Born in 1879 in a small provincial town in France, Albert Pel grew up in an apparently ordinary environment. However, behind the facade of normalcy, lays a man, troubled by inner demons. From a young age, Pel exhibited troubling behaviors, such as cruelty to animals and uncontrollable fits of rage.
Pel’s story takes a sinister turn in the 1920s, when he settles in the suburbs of Paris. There, he leads an ostensibly ordinary existence, but in reality, he engages in much darker activities. Inspired by the exploits of Landru, who had been arrested and executed for murdering several women, Pel allegedly began recruiting vulnerable women for scams and abuse.
Pel’s method was similar to Landru’s: he used his charm and manipulation to gain the trust of his victims before drawing them into a complex web of lies and deceit. The disappeared women were often found dead, their bodies abandoned in isolated locations around Paris.
However, despite the similarities to Landru, Pel remains a much more mysterious figure. Unlike Landru, whose motivations were partly financial, Pel’s motivations appear more complex and obscure. Some have suggested he suffered from severe mental disorders, while others have speculated on deeper motives linked to childhood trauma.
Albert Pel’s story remains largely unknown, largely due to his lack of notoriety compared to other famous criminals of his time. However, his evocative nickname of the « Big Brother of Landru » recalls his place in the dark history of French crime.
Though less known than his more famous counterpart, Albert Pel embodies the darkness of the human soul and the morbid fascination some individuals exert on society. His story, though disturbing, offers a valuable insight into the motivations and actions of serial killers, while reminding us of the need to remain vigilant against the hidden dangers that may lurk behind familiar faces.
For more information, I advise you to watch the video of Christophe Hondelatte, the podcast named « Hondelatte raconte » that talks about crimes and which has one podcast dedicated to this criminal.
(as a precision, this article doesn’t support the act of this man, it is just on a educational purpose)
