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[The Deadly Feud: The Murder of Monique Lejeune]-[A House Divided (PODCAST EXCLUSIVE EPISODE)]

MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories · B2 · 2026-05-04

True crime
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📋 Summary

The Tragic Murder of Monique Lejeune

On the morning of February 2003, a strange and unsettling incident occurred in suburban France: a man received a phone call consisting of muffled voices discussing a murder and the need for an alibi. This cryptic event served as the prelude to the brutal killing of 52-year-old Monique Lejeune, whose life was cut short in a case defined by long-standing family animosity and a desperate, violent struggle.

A Family Divided

Monique lived with her husband, Claude, in a household often overshadowed by the fractured dynamics of their blended family. Years earlier, a serious allegation regarding the sexual abuse of one of Claude’s grandsons by Monique’s son, Jean-Luc, had "ripped the family apart." While no police investigation ever confirmed the claim, the distrust between Monique and Claude’s five daughters remained a source of intense tension. This underlying hostility meant that when Claude and his sons departed for a family gathering on February 7, 2003, Monique chose to stay behind, citing the need to care for her four dogs—though the true reason was her inability to get along with her stepdaughters.

The Crime Scene and Initial Suspects

The following morning, a neighbor discovered Monique’s body lying on the pavement outside her home. Captain Ann Preem, the lead investigator, noted the scene was "covered in blood" in the entryway, suggesting the attack began there. Initially, the police suspected a strong, male intruder, as they believed the body had been moved post-mortem. Suspicion quickly fell upon several individuals:

  • Jean-Luc: Monique’s son was the last person seen at the house. Police found blood-like splatters in his apartment and on his bike, though later lab results revealed these were merely animal blood and grease.
  • Henri: A neighbor known for his volatile behavior and tendency to vandalize cars. However, he had an alibi provided by his wife.
  • Beatrice Matisse: Claude’s ex-wife was initially ruled out because she was "four foot nine inches tall and 58 years old," leading investigators to believe she was too frail to overpower a woman of Monique’s stature.

The Breakthrough: DNA and Confession

The mystery deepened when a co-worker of Jean-Luc’s brother-in-law reported a bizarre phone call where two women were overheard discussing an alibi and Jean-Luc’s depression. While this led police to search the brother-in-law’s home—finding a pair of damp pants that turned out to be irrelevant—the real breakthrough came from the medical examiner.

DNA evidence recovered from "under Monique's fingernails" proved to be the smoking gun. Monique, despite being stabbed over 50 times, had fought back with such ferocity that she managed to secure skin cells from her attacker. The DNA analysis confirmed the killer was female and matched Beatrice Matisse.

The Final Truth

Police reconstructed the event as a confrontation that turned lethal. Beatrice had arrived at the house to "bury the hatchet," but an argument ensued. When Monique slammed the door on her, Beatrice snapped, retrieved a knife from her car, and returned to the door.

Contrary to the police’s initial theory that the body had been dragged outside, the truth was even more harrowing: Monique, fueled by adrenaline, had "chased Beatrice out of the house" after the initial stabbing, only to collapse on the walkway. Beatrice later confessed to the crime, citing that Monique’s insults regarding her daughters were the "inflammatory line" that pushed her over the edge. She was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison, bringing a tragic end to a long-standing domestic feud.

🎯Key Sentences

1
What is this?
2
Okay, let's get into today's story.
3
somebody had to stay home
4
come on in.
5
the guy just didn't care.
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📝Key Phrases

1
make out
2
come up with an alibi
3
get along
4
rip apart
5
on speaking terms
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📖 Transcript

On a Monday morning in February of 2003, a man in suburban France got a phone call from a number that he recognized, so he answered it.
But instead of the familiar voice he expected, all he heard on the other end was static and muffled voices somewhere in the background.
He put his phone on speaker mode so his wife could listen, And the two of them listened closely to figure out, like who's calling me.
What is this?
And as they listened, they were able to barely make out a conversation happening between two women who they didn't know.
And these two women were clearly talking about a murder.

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