Julie Ollivier, the woman whose criminal complaint against French radio and television host Sébastien Cauet triggered one of the most significant sexual assault investigations in recent French history, died by suicide on Monday at the age of 28, the organization MeToo Media confirmed on Friday. The announcement sent shockwaves through the media sector and among advocates against gender-based violence, bringing a tragic pause to the ongoing judicial process that Ollivier helped initiate. [3] [8]
Emmanuelle Dancourt, founder of MeToo Media, expressed profound grief upon learning of the death, describing the collective as being in a state of utter devastation. In statements released to AFP and Le Nouvel Obs, Dancourt revealed that Ollivier was an active member of the association, attending their events and maintaining close relationships within the group. The unexpected nature of the tragedy was underscored by Dancourt’s observation that recent interactions had suggested Ollivier was improving, marking her death as a sudden and devastating loss for those who knew her. [3] [6] [7]
Ollivier’s role in the judicial landscape began in November 2023, when she became the first woman to publicly accuse Sébastien Cauet of rape. Her testimony detailed an incident that allegedly occurred in Geneva in 2014, when she was 16 years old and he was an established star in the French media industry. She subsequently denounced further aggressions extending up to 2022. Her complaint broke the silence surrounding the entertainer and catalyzed a broader examination of his conduct. Three months after her initial filing, Ollivier appeared on Cyril Hanouna’s popular talk show Touche pas à mon poste! to share her story publicly and without anonymity. [3] [8] [4]
Her legal action rapidly expanded the scope of scrutiny around Cauet, who is currently 54 years old. By May 2024, the broadcaster was formally charged (mis en examen) for rape and sexual aggression involving four women, three of whom were adolescents at the time of the alleged offenses. The charges span from 1997 to 2014. Specific allegations include the rape of a 15-year-old girl in Paris in December 1997, sexual aggression against a 17-year-old in December 2012, and another rape allegation concerning a woman born in 1973 regarding an incident in 2011. Additionally, Cauet faces charges of corruption of a minor over the age of 15 regarding Julie Ollivier between January 2014 and September 2016. He contests all accusations. [3] [8]
Despite the tragic conclusion of Ollivier's life, her legal engagement continues. Her attorney, Hélène Köse, conveyed deep sorrow while highlighting Ollivier’s bravery in bringing her ordeal to light. The lawyer emphasized that Ollivier had carried her voice to the very end of her life. Consequently, the family has decided to assume her position in the judicial proceedings by constituting themselves as civil parties within the information judicial inquiry being conducted in Paris. Their primary request is that her bereavement be respected by the public and media. [3] [8] [7]
The case was characterized by intense legal conflict. In July 2025, Ollivier filed complaints alleging cyber-harassment, violation of privacy, breach of instruction secrecy, and concealment. In retaliation, Cauet pursued parallel criminal cases against her for defamation, attempted extortion, and cyber-harassment. MeToo Media and the Nouvel Obs noted that Ollivier had frequently voiced her distress over the prolonged judicial procedures and the use of procedural tactics that added layers of complexity to her pursuit of justice. The investigation continued under heavy media scrutiny, culminating on October 14, 2026, when Cauet underwent his first substantive interrogation by the examining judge since his formal charging. [3] [5]
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- 20 Minutes Loiret : Une femme tuée à coups de couteau en centre-ville de Montargis, une suspecte arrêtée
- 20 Minutes Affaire Cauet : La première femme à avoir porté plainte pour viols contre l’animateur s’est suicidée
- 20 Minutes Affaire Cauet : La première femme à avoir porté plainte pour viols contre l’animateur s’est suicidée
- fr.news.yahoo.com Affaire Cauet : La première femme à avoir porté plainte pour viols contre l’animateur s’est suicidée
- nouvelobs.com Julie, qui avait porté plainte contre Sébastien Cauet pour viol, s’est suicidée
- france3-regions.franceinfo.fr Julie Ollivier, la première femme à avoir accusé l'animateur Cauet de viols, s'est suicidée à l'âge de 28 ans
- midilibre.fr "On est dans la sidération" : Julie Ollivier, première femme à avoir porté plainte pour viols contre Cauet, se
- tvmag.lefigaro.fr Affaire Cauet : Julie Ollivier, la première femme à avoir porté plainte pour viols contre l’animateur, s'est suicidée
