French Pizza Chef Confesses to Murdering Man and Cooking his Body in a Pot of Vegetables

Nathalie Caboubassy (left) and Philippe Schneider allegedly killed the man in a botched burglary

A 69-year-old French pizza chef and former butcher, Philippe Schneider, is standing trial in the Aveyron region of southern France for the alleged murder, dismemberment, and cooking of a man in a shocking attempt to conceal the crime. The macabre events unfolded in February 2023 in the remote village of Brasc and have since gripped national attention.

The victim, Georges Meichler, 60, lived alone in a makeshift cabin deep in the woods without electricity or running water. His disappearance was reported after his daughter was unable to reach him and began receiving unusual text messages that were inconsistent with her father’s typical communication style. Concerned, she contacted authorities.

Investigators soon focused on Philippe Schneider and his 45-year-old partner Nathalie Caboubassy, who were seen driving Meichler’s car in the area. The couple had moved to the region in 2019 and presented themselves as druids. Schneider sold so-called "magic potions" at a local sex shop and later opened a pizzeria named Don Filiippo in Saint-Sernin-sur-Rance.

Parts of Meichler’s body were found in the area around his home and even in his own van, which the burglars made off with

The pair initially claimed that Meichler had lent them the car while he went on holiday and asked them to care for his animals. However, the story quickly unraveled, and Schneider reportedly confessed to the killing, telling investigators, “What I’m going to tell you is horrific.” Over the course of the investigation, Schneider gave multiple versions of events, while Caboubassy denied any involvement.

In his latest account, Schneider claimed he went to Meichler’s home intending to steal cannabis and enlisted the help of a third suspect, Loup Benrakia, a local gravedigger. He said the two men tied up Meichler and gagged him, leading to the victim’s death by suffocation. Benrakia has denied any role in the incident.

Schneider allegedly returned to his house with the body, waited three days to “respect the transmigration of the soul,” then used his butchery skills to dismember the corpse. He is said to have burned the victim’s internal organs immediately, then cooked the remaining limbs in large pots with vegetables at Meichler’s own property to disguise the smell. Later, he burned the head, hands, and feet, and scattered the ashes around his land while praying for the deceased's soul.

Schneider’s defense attorney confirmed his client accepted full responsibility, stating he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time and had spiraled into "absurdity and horror" following the killing.

Philippe Schneider faces charges of kidnapping resulting in death, concealing a corpse, and desecrating a body. Nathalie Caboubassy and Loup Benrakia are both charged with complicity. The prosecution has emphasized the challenges of trying a case with no physical remains and relying solely on the defendants’ testimonies.

The court is expected to deliver its verdict on May 22.