Man found murdered in Paris's Père Lachaise cemetery

Paris police were holding a man was on Friday after the discovery of the body of a 66-year-old man with his skull caved in among the graves in the French capital’s famous Père Lachaise cemetery.

Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris Laurence Théault / RFI

The 27-year-old suspect, named as Eric N by Le Parisien newspaper, was detained on Wednesday shortly after American tourists found the corpse of François Boudinot, who lived near to the cemetery and often went for walks there, between two tombs.

The body showed signs of numerous blows to the face and head.

Boudinot’s neighbours told Le Parisien that he was “quiet” and “kindly”, who lived with his partner.

Traces of blood on Eric N’s clothing are being analysed.

The suspect is reported to have been questioned by police in connection with other violent incidents in the cemetery.

Père Lachaise’s tree-lined avenues and monumental tombs make it a favourite spot for local people to walk and it is one of Paris’s major tourist attractions since it is home to the graves of many historical figures, including Doors singer Jim Morrison, author Oscar Wilde and French singer Edith Piaf.