Kim Kardashian's Paris robbery suspect dies suddenly weeks before trial
Marceau Baum-Gertner has died aged 72, just weeks before he was set to head to trial in connection with the 2016 robbery of Kim Kardashian. Baum-Gertner was arrested for being the suspected 'fence' of Kardashian's millions of euro worth of stolen goods, which were taken while she was held in her private Paris apartment at gunpoint.
The suspect - who was known as Nez Râpé, or 'rough diamond' in the English term - had already racked up multiple convictions for robbery and involvement with stolen goods, and had allegedly been receiving threats from other underworld figures prior to his death.
Speaking to the Mail Online, a source said: 'Mr Baum-Gertner had been released on bail following his arrest over the Kim Kardashian robbery eight years ago, and was living in Paris, while regularly reporting to police. His name was on the defendants' list for the trial, and he was very enthusiastic about clearing his name in court.
"This was until he died suddenly in the 10th arrondissement of Paris on March 6. He was suspected of liaising with mafia gangs from across the world over the Kardashian jewellery, and criminals are known to have issued threats against him following widespread publicity connected to the case."
Baum-Gertner was only named as the fourth defendant in the case on March 14, eight days after his death, while the trial is set to begin in Paris between April 28 and May 23.
Kardashian will fly over from Los Angeles to attend the trial, after being robbed during Paris Fashion Week in October 2016. During the terrifying crime, the reality TV star was bound, gagged, and locked in a bathroom while masked men stole over €8.9 million worth of jewellery.
The mother of four had been staying in a luxury residence in the 8th arrondissement of the French capital when in the early morning hours of October 3, five men disguised as police officers gained entry to the building after threatening a concierge at gunpoint. The concierge was forced to lead the men to Kardashian's private suite, where she was alone after her bodyguard had stepped out for the night.
The assailants stormed into the apartment, held Kardashian at gunpoint, and forcibly restrained her. According to police reports, they tied her hands and feet with zip ties, taped her mouth shut, and locked her in the bathroom. During the terrifying ordeal, one of the robbers allegedly held a gun to her head while demanding access to her valuables.
The thieves made off with a jewellery box containing an estimated €8.9 million worth of jewels and luxury goods, along with a €3.5 million diamond ring that Kardashian had shown off on social media in the days leading up to the robbery. The ring - an engagement gift from then-husband Kanye West - has still not been recovered to this day.
Baum-Gertner being 72 at the time of his death is no surprise, as French investigators believe the robbery was orchestrated by a group of ageing career criminals. French media dubbed the suspects the "grandpa gang" due to their ages; many being in their 60s and 70s at the time of their arrest. DNA evidence and surveillance footage led to their identification and eventual detainment, with several suspects allegedly having confessed during interrogations.
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