Editing Henri Désiré Landru (section)

==== Jeanne and André Cuchet (late January or early February 1915) ====
'''Jeanne-Marie Cuchet'''<ref group="n" name="Cuchet_variant">Also spelled Jeanne Koushet{{harvnb|Sairyakkusu|1996|pp=662-664}} or Jeanne Couchet.{{harvnb|Rēn|Gureggu|1995|p=198}}</ref> (39{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|p=143}}), an attractive Parisian lingerie seamstress widowed in 1909,{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|pp=142-143}}{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2812-2815}} had met Landru before the war, likely in 1914. He used the alias "Raymond Diard," claiming to be a postal inspector or industrialist from [[Lille]] displaced by the war.{{sfn|Monesutie|1991|p=99}} He charmed Jeanne, promising marriage and a secure future for her and her illegitimate son, '''André''' (then 16 or 17<ref group="n">Sources vary on André's age, stating 16{{harvnb|Shōshin Shobō|1997|p=2833}} or 17.{{harvnb|Monesutie|1991|pp=99-100}}</ref>), even offering to secure André a government job.{{sfn|Monesutie|1991|p=99}} Jeanne's sister and brother-in-law distrusted "Diard," sensing he was a fraud, but Jeanne dismissed their concerns.{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2830-2835}}

After Landru disappeared briefly at the war's outbreak, a distraught Jeanne, accompanied by André and her brother-in-law, visited Landru's empty house near Chantilly. There, they found papers revealing his real identity (including marriage and criminal records).<ref name="HardyStatement"/>{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|p=143}}<ref name="FriedmanInterview"/> Despite this, and arguments over his reluctance to marry,{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2830-2835}}{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|p=143}} Jeanne reconciled with Landru when he reappeared. She severed ties with her warning family{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|p=143}} and, in December 1914, moved with André into Landru's rented villa in Vernouillet.{{sfn|Monesutie|1991|p=99}}{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|p=2831}} André, meanwhile, was eagerly anticipating his early military recruitment.{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2812-2815}}

Jeanne and André were last seen alive around 26 January 1915.{{sfn|Sairyakkusu|1996|pp=662-664}}<ref name="CuchetLetter"/> Shortly after, neighbours reported thick, acrid smoke smelling of burning flesh billowing from Landru's chimney. Investigating police accepted Landru's explanation that he was burning rubbish.{{sfn|Sairyakkusu|1996|pp=662-664}}{{sfn|Shōshin Shobō|1997|pp=2830-2835}} It is almost certain he murdered and incinerated them in his stove.{{sfn|Sairyakkusu|1996|pp=662-664}} Landru had deposited 5,000 francs (claimed as inheritance) in June 1914, which police suspected came from Jeanne.{{sfn|Wiruson|Pittoman|1963|p=143}}