Fact Check: Stéphane Bourgoin Admitted to Lying About His Past
What We Know
Stéphane Bourgoin, a prominent French author and expert on serial killers, has publicly admitted to fabricating significant elements of his personal and professional history. His claims included having trained with the FBI, having interviewed over 70 serial killers, and having a wife who was murdered by a serial killer. An anonymous collective known as the 4ème Oeil Corporation conducted an investigation that prompted these admissions, revealing inconsistencies in Bourgoin's accounts and leading him to confess to the French media that many of his past claims were untrue (The Guardian, Global News).
In interviews following the investigation, Bourgoin stated, “My lies have weighed me down,” and described himself as a "mythomaniac." He acknowledged that the wife he claimed was murdered never existed, and he based this falsehood on a real person, Susan Bickrest, who was murdered by serial killer Gerald Stano in 1975. Bourgoin admitted to embellishing his life story due to feelings of inadequacy and a desire for recognition (CNN, The Daily Beast).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Stéphane Bourgoin admitted to lying about his past is robust and comes from multiple credible sources. The investigation by the 4ème Oeil Corporation raised serious questions about Bourgoin's credibility, leading to his public confessions. His admissions were reported by major news outlets including CNN and The Guardian, both of which are reputable sources known for their journalistic integrity.
Bourgoin's statements about his fabrications were consistent across various interviews, where he expressed remorse and a need for psychological help. His acknowledgment of his false claims, including the non-existence of his wife and his exaggerated professional experiences, further solidifies the validity of the claim. The collective's investigation, which highlighted discrepancies in Bourgoin's narratives, adds an additional layer of credibility to the findings (The Independent, Mediapart).
Conclusion
The claim that Stéphane Bourgoin admitted to lying about his past is True. His public confessions, corroborated by investigative findings and reported by multiple credible news outlets, confirm that he fabricated significant aspects of his biography, including the existence of a murdered wife and his professional qualifications. Bourgoin's admissions reflect a profound acknowledgment of his dishonesty and the impact it had on his life and career.
Sources
- French serial-killer expert admits serial lies, including ...
- French serial killer expert admits his career is based on lies
- Author admits to making up his wife's gruesome rape and ...
- French serial killer expert admits his career is built on lies
- The Unravelling of an Expert on Serial Killers
- Serial-Killer Expert Admits He Invented His ‘Murdered’ Wife
- French star serial killer 'expert' confesses to being serial lier
- French serial killer expert admits his career is built on lies
