Michel Peiry: The "Sadist of Romont" Stays Behind Bars โ New Ruling Confirms He Remains a Danger
They are images seared into memory: Michel Peiry, an unassuming-looking man with glasses, who terrorized Switzerland in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Now, in March 2026, a new decision from the justice system shows that the fear surrounding him has not faded to this day. The "Sadist of Romont" will not be granted supervised outings from prison for the foreseeable future. Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court has upheld a lower court's ruling on the matter โ the risk of him reoffending is still deemed "clear and significant."
Five Murders, Countless Suffering
Between 1977 and 1981, Peiry brutally murdered at least five young men. He lured his victims, who were hitchhiking, into his car, tortured them, and often left their bodies mutilated. Forensic pathologists spoke of a level of cruelty that was virtually unparalleled. It was for these crimes that Peiry earned his chilling nickname: "Le Sadique de Romont". For a long time, the media referred to him as "Switzerland's forgotten gay serial killer" โ a label that alludes to his homosexuality, but also to the fact that his crimes were, at times, overshadowed in the public eye by other high-profile cases.
The Artist Behind Bars
But Michel Peiry is more than just a convicted murderer. Within the walls of the penitentiary, he began to paint โ and his works found an unusual path into the public sphere. Several of his pieces, which often depict dark, surreal scenes, are now part of the Art Brut collection in Lausanne. This so-called "raw art" gathers works by inmates of psychiatric hospitals or prisons. Peiry's paintings have become sought-after collector's items, a fact that repeatedly sparks outrage among the victims' families. They see it as a mockery of the memory of those who were killed.
Why He Can't Leave
Peiry, now 76, had recently hoped to be allowed to leave the institution at least under supervision โ whether for walks or errands. However, the judicial authorities flatly denied his request. Experts agree: Peiry's personality structure has not fundamentally changed. While he may have calmed down with age, his deep-seated inclination towards violence and sexual deviancy persists. "You can't just release him into the world," said a long-time prison psychologist who has followed the case for decades. "The probability that he will reoffend is simply too high."
What Remains is the Horror
The Federal Supreme Court's decision means for Peiry: life imprisonment remains just that โ at least as far as real-world freedom is concerned. In his cell, he will be able to continue painting, continue putting his thoughts on paper. For the families of his victims, this is little comfort. They have to live with the knowledge that the man who took their loved ones from them is still alive โ even if he is locked away.
- 1977โ1981: Five confirmed murders of young men in Western Switzerland.
- Nickname: "Sadist of Romont," due to the exceptional cruelty of his crimes.
- Art: Peiry's paintings are part of the renowned Art Brut collection in Lausanne.
- Current: Federal Supreme Court denies supervised outings โ risk of reoffending too high.
Michel Peiry will therefore likely forever remain the "Sadist of Romont" โ a name that will send shivers down spines in Switzerland for a long time to come.