Michel Peiry: The 'Sadist of Romont' stays behind bars – New ruling confirms ongoing danger
They are images that sear themselves into your memory: Michel Peiry, an unassuming-looking man with glasses, who terrorised Switzerland in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Now, in March 2026, a new decision from the justice system shows that the fear of him hasn't faded to this day. The 'Sadist of Romont' will not, for now, be granted supervised leave from prison. The Federal Supreme Court has upheld a previous ruling on the matter – the risk of reoffending is still deemed 'clear and substantial.'
Five murders, endless suffering
Between 1977 and 1981, Peiry brutally killed at least five young men. He lured his victims into his car while they were hitchhiking, tortured them, and often left their bodies mutilated. Forensic pathologists spoke of a level of cruelty that was virtually unprecedented. 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' – a title that alludes to his homosexuality, but also to the fact that his crimes were, for a time, overshadowed in the public eye by other high-profile cases.
The artist behind bars
But Michel Peiry is not just a convicted murderer. Within the prison walls, he began to paint – and his works found an unusual path into the public domain. Some of his pieces, often depicting 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's not allowed out
Peiry, now 76, had recently hoped to be allowed out of the institution, even if just under supervision – for walks or errands. However, the judicial authorities gave him a firm 'no'. The experts are in agreement: Peiry's fundamental personality structure hasn't changed. While he may have become calmer with age, his deep-seated tendency towards violence and sexual deviance remains. "You can't just release him back into the world," said a long-standing prison psychologist who has followed the case for decades. "The likelihood that he would reoffend is simply too high."
What remains is the horror
The Federal Supreme Court's decision means, for Peiry: a life sentence remains a life sentence – at least as far as physical freedom is concerned. In his cell, he will be able to continue painting, continue putting his thoughts down on paper. For the surviving families of his victims, that is small comfort. They have to live with the knowledge that the man who took their loved ones from them is still alive – even if locked away.
- 1977–1981: Five proven murders of young men in French-speaking Switzerland.
- Nickname: 'Sadist of Romont' due to the particular cruelty of the crimes.
- Art: Peiry's paintings are featured in the renowned Art Brut collection in Lausanne.
- Current: Federal Supreme Court refuses supervised leave – risk too high.
Michel Peiry will, therefore, likely forever remain the 'Sadist of Romont' – a name that will send shivers down spines in Switzerland for a long time to come.