Police investigate death of French actress who accused film star Gerard Depardieu of sexual abuse

French authorities are investigating the apparent suicide of a distraught actress who had accused controversial movie star Gerard Depardieu of sexual misconduct.

Emmanuelle Debever, 60, is believed to have jumped from a Paris bridge into the River Seine after disappearing from her home more than a week earlier, and died on the same day French television aired a scathing documentary about a series of allegations of sexual abuse against Depardieu.

“It has been reported in the media that the actress had complained about inappropriate behavior on the part of Gerard Depardieu,” French prosecutors said in a statement, the BBC reported.

“Given this new element, an investigation has been opened into the cause of his death,” the statement said.

The actor has not been charged with any crime.

Debever appeared in films and television shows in France in the 1980s, and claimed in a 2019 Facebook post that Depardieu groped her while the two were filming the film “Danton,” in which the actress played the young second wife. of the famous actor, according to the release.

French actress Emmanuelle Debever, who died by apparent suicide last week, claimed that controversial movie star Gerard Depardieu touched her while the two were filming together in 1982, yet another allegation in a series of accusations against Depardieu.

“The superstar treated himself during filming,” he wrote online. “Make the most of privacy inside a carriage. Sliding her paw under my skirts to feel better.

Debever’s partner told police the actress disappeared from her home after leaving a “concerning” note. Police later found Debever in the river and rushed her to a local hospital, where she died on December 7.

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The same day, France 2 TV aired a documentary about allegations of sexual abuse by the 74-year-old actor, including new allegations from actress Charlotte Arnould, who sued Depardieu alleging that the “Cyrano de Bergerac” actor raped her in 2018.

The documentary caused several figures in the French film industry to distance themselves from the actor, and the country’s television networks have stopped broadcasting his films after Debever’s death.

Debever’s claims were not addressed in the documentary, which alleged that Depardieu has sexually harassed and assaulted up to 16 different women over the years.

French actor Gerard Depardieu.French actor Gerard Depardieu, 74, has been tarnished by accusations of sexual misconduct and even rape. He denies them. AP

The actor has long been clouded by allegations of sexual misconduct and has been under investigation since Arnould came forward with his allegations in December 2020.

He has appeared in more than 200 films, including the 1990 film “Green Card,” a romantic comedy with Andie McDowell that had some success in the United States.

Depardieu has repeatedly denied the accusations against him.

“All my life I have been provocative, exaggerated, sometimes rude,” he said in an open letter to Le Figaro in October. “I have often done what others dared not do: test limits, shake accepted wisdom.

“But I am not a rapist or a predator,” he wrote. “I have never, ever abused a woman. To the media court, to the lynching that they have reserved for me, I only have my word to defend myself.”

Depardieu has not commented publicly on the France 2 documentary or Debever’s death.

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With post cables.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, you can call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.

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Source: vtt.edu.vn

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