A key suspect in Kim Kardashian’s nearly $10 million robbery in Paris has “suddenly died” just as the trial was set to begin.
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According to Daily Mail, 72-year-old Marceau Baum-Gertner was accused of being a “super fence” and working with the gang that held reality TV star Kim Kardashian at gunpoint in Paris in 2016. The publication also reports that Baum-Gertner was also facing recent death threats from gang sources. However, he refused to name any associates during multiple pre-trial interrogations.
Furthermore, sources say some of the other suspects — and alleged “mafia” buyers from Georgia, Israel, and the USA whom the man met with in Antwerp, Belgium (the diamond capital of Europe) — believe this might have changed upon being cross-examined in court.
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Key Suspect In Kim Kardashian $10M Paris Robbery ‘Suddenly Dies’ Before Trial
Baum-Gertner was allegedly responsible for finding buyers for the nearly $10 million worth of jewelry and watches stolen from Kim Kardashian during the 2016 Paris robbery. Some of the items, including a $4 million engagement ring that has never been recovered. Daily Mail reports that Baum-Gertner is also known as Nez Râpé (or Rough Nose), the French equivalent of “Rough Diamond.”
He was allegedly a leading figure in the Paris underworld with several convictions for fencing stolen goods, forgery, and robbery. The key suspect was set to go on trial on Monday (April 28). Joining him are ten others accused of robbery, kidnapping, and organized gang crimes against Kardashian. However, Daily Mail reports that Baum-Gertner died in Paris on March 6. A cause of death has not been released, but an investigating source said it was unexpected.
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Source Claims Dead Key Suspect In Kim Kardashian $10M Paris Robbery Faced Death Threats From Mafia And Gangs
The 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. 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 jewelry, and criminals are known to have issued threats against him following widespread publicity connected to the case.”
The publication reports that law enforcement officials initially had no clue about the man’s death. Subsequently, on March 14, officials continued with business as usual and named him as the fourth key defendant expected to appear in court next week. In their note, the French Justice Ministry claimed his crimes were “to the detriment of Ms. Kim Kardashian.” In May, Kardashian will fly into Paris from Los Angeles. Once in court, she will give evidence as the prosecution’s star witness in the long-awaited trial.
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