Joanna Parrish's father 'convinced' pair responsible for murder

Joanna Parrish, a 20-year-old student from Gloucestershire, was kidnapped and murdered by Fourniret

The father of a student murdered in France has told a court in Paris he is more convinced than ever over the guilt of the couple held responsible.

Joanna Parrish, 20, from Gloucestershire was kidnapped and murdered in France in 1990.

French serial killer, Michel Fourniret, confessed to murder in 2018 and died in prison in 2021.

His ex-wife Monique Olivier is on trial for her role in the murder, and other crimes.

Ms Parrish's parents, Roger Parrish and Pauline Murrell arriving for the first day of court proceedings

Roger Parrish said: "We were convinced that they were responsible. After hearing the evidence of the last two weeks, we are now even more convinced."

Addressing the court through a translator, he said: "Joanna was a kind, helpful young woman, who worked hard and conscientiously.

"She trusted people, but she was also smart, careful and intelligent.

"I and my family have always felt that it was very unlikely that she would have trusted a man acting alone.

"But one who had the help and assistance of a woman, this is possible. She would have trusted a woman, the presence of a woman."

Monique Olivier is accused of assisting Michele Fourniret to commit murders

The French legal system allows the victims' families to address the court at the start and end of the process.

Marine Allali, the Parrish family lawyer, told the BBC:

"Mr Parrish reminded people of things that were important to him, to really give the essentials of his statement.

Speaking about Roger Parrish and Eric Mouzin, whose daughter Estelle Mouzin disappeared in 2003, she added:

"These are fathers with a fight which we can all understand. They've been very strong for decades and they are still at the helm. Roger is very old. It was very moving."

In 2018, Michel Fourniret told investigators that his victims would still be alive if they had not crossed his path

The court was told that Fourniret had previously denied any involvement in Joanna Parrish's murder in Auxerre in 1990 despite Olivier confessing in 2005.

In interviews in 2008 Fourniret told lawyers for the Parrish family that he did not recognise what his wife was saying and she was "a victim" herself.

But 10 years later, under questioning from a new Examining Magistrate, Sabine Kheris, he was asked about the murders of Joanna Parrish, 20, and 18-year-old Marie-Angele Domece.

He finally confessed: "I am the only one responsible for their fate. If they hadn't crossed my path, they would still be alive."

But he also made clear that they would not have been killed if his ex-wife had not been there to lure the victims:

"If Monique Olivier hadn't been there, perhaps these people would still be here," he said.

Monique Olivier is accused of complicity in the murders, something she has admitted in court, but says she was controlled by her husband and in fear of her life

Michel Fourniret died in prison in 2021

Under further questioning, it was clear that Fourniret was indifferent to his victims.

Shown photos of Ms Parrish's dead body, and given details of how she died, he said:

"That does nothing for me." and "I need a better memory. The only thing I know for sure is that if Joanna Parrish hadn't crossed my path she would still be here."

Closing speech from Antoine Sauvestre-Vinci, lawyer for the Parrish family:

"Time for the victim in court is precious. Especially when the accused thinks of the victims as objects.

"What is insupportable for the family, is that Monique Olivier refuses to take responsibility for her actions.

"This attitude, her selective amnesia... we regret her silence.

"I will speak of Joanna, not of what happened: what she missed and who misses her; the tenacity of her parents and her brother, her uncle, her aunt, her cousins…. to bring to light what happened.

"They have done it for 30 years with exemplary dignity, in spite of the justice system.

"When you go to deliberate, remember this young and beautiful girl. and the unbelievable pain of her family.

"She was only starting her life when she met this darkness. She was only 20 years old.

"Her name was Joanna."

From the court: Steve Knibbs BBC West

Almost every day we've been in court we've spoken about the emotion and atmosphere in the courtroom, but today was different. This was the final chance for the families and their lawyers to speak to the court.

With the pictures of their loved ones on the screens there was absolute silence. Roger Parrish spoke of how kind, intelligent and trusting Joanna was.

Eric Mouzin spoke of the time he met Michel Fourniret when he was helping police to locate his daughter's body. But the emotion wasn't just for the families, their lawyers who have been working on this case for decades take this very personally.

Despite the sometimes theatrical nature of the French judicial system during the trial today was very much about real life, real tragedy, real loss.

Lawyer Didier Seban asked Olivier about Fourniret's claims that he would not have murdered Ms Parrish without her being there.

She said: "This is false. I don't agree. He needed someone for what he did. What he was capable of doing."

"After the murders, what happened at home?," asked M. Seban.

"You couldn't speak to him," Olivier told the court.

The trial continues.