The long-awaited trial stemming from the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian is finally underway in Paris, France, but it has taken a dramatic turn following the unexpected death of one of the key suspects just weeks before court proceedings were to begin on April 28th.
Marceau Baum-Gertner, a 72-year-old man alleged to have played a central role in orchestrating the sale of Kardashian’s stolen jewelry, died suddenly on March 6. French authorities confirmed his death but have not publicly disclosed a cause, fueling speculation and unease around the high-profile case.
Baum-Gertner, known in criminal circles as “Nez Râpé” (Rough Nose), had reportedly been receiving death threats prior to his passing, amid rumors he might cooperate with prosecutors in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Despite Baum-Gertner’s absence, the trial at the Paris Assizes Court is proceeding against the remaining ten defendants, many of whom are elderly and have been nicknamed the “grandpa robbers.” They face serious charges including armed robbery, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy.
The Kardashian robbery
The robbery, which took place in the early hours of October 3, 2016, shocked the world. Kardashian, then 35, was staying at the exclusive Hôtel de Pourtalès during Paris Fashion Week when five men disguised as police officers forced their way into her private residence. The gang tied her up, held her at gunpoint, and made off with approximately $10 million worth of jewelry, including her now-infamous 20-carat engagement ring from Kanye West.
Kim Kardashian, now 44, is expected to testify during the trial, which is scheduled to run until late May. The reality star and business mogul has previously spoken about the deep trauma she endured from the robbery, describing the moments she feared for her life as the masked assailants ransacked her suite.
Adding to the intrigue, Yunice Abbas, another 71-year-old suspect, has stated through his legal team that he plans to admit partial guilt and apologize to Kardashian in court. Abbas, who claims to have acted only as a lookout and insists he never personally threatened Kardashian, was arrested in 2017 and served nearly two years behind bars while awaiting trial.
Legal analysts expect the proceedings to reveal new details about how the daring heist was pulled off and where the stolen jewelry much of which was never recovered ultimately ended up.
As the courtroom drama unfolds, the sudden death of Baum-Gertner casts a shadow over the trial, raising questions about loyalty, betrayal, and justice within the Parisian criminal underworld.
For Kardashian and the public alike, the trial represents not just a chance for accountability, but also a confrontation with one of the most terrifying moments in modern celebrity history.
