What was Marceau Baum-Gertner accused of? Kim Kardashian’s Paris jewel heist suspect dies weeks before trial

Marceau Baum-Gertner, 72, was accused of working with a gang that held Kim Kardashian at gunpoint in Paris in 2016 to steal jewels from the reality star, including a $4 million engagement ring that has not yet been recovered. He was suspected of "liaising with mafia gangs" as per a source's report to Mail Online.

Gertner was also allegedly responsible for finding buyers to buy the stolen ring. Gertner was due to go on trial on April 28, alongside ten other suspects. However, as per a report by Mail Online, he died in Paris's 10 arrondissement on March 6. The legal authorities were not immediately informed of Gerner's death.

French newspaper, The Journal du Dimanche, in January 2017, published Kim Kardashian's testimony of the robbery. Masked robbers burst into Kardashian's luxury Paris residence in October 2016, stealing jewels worth nine million euros. In January 2017, 10 suspects were charged, including a gang's key members: Aomar Air Khedache and Didier Dubreucq.

While giving an account of the events of the October night, Kardashian said that her bodyguard was absent since he was guarding her sister Kourtney at a nightclub, and she heard noises at her residence after returning from dinner:

"I saw through the sliding door two people coming. He asked me with a strong French accent where my ring was. It was on the bedside table. (But) I replied that I didn't know and then he pulled out a gun and I showed him the ring."

The gang also stole a jewellery box, containing two Cartier diamond bracelets, a diamond-studded necklace, a yellow gold Rolex watch, and a diamond-encrusted cross.

More about Marceau Baum-Gertner, Kim Kardashian's jewel heist suspect

Marceau Baum-Gartner, also known as Nez Râpé, Rough Nose, Rough Nose, was a leading figure in the Paris underworld and was a key suspect in Kim Kardashian's October 2016 jewel heist, before his death on March 6, 2025.

During pre-trial interrogations, Gertner reportedly refused to name any associates. However, a source confirmed to Mail Online that criminals worried that Baum-Gertner would spit out names when cross-examined in court.

Since the robbery, Marceau visited Antwerp, the diamond capital of Europe, at least eight times, and was spotted meeting up with buyers from the criminal underworlds of Georgia, Israel, and the USA. When questioned, Gertner explained his visits to Antwerp as trips to get gifts for his family. Gertner never agreed to any of his charges.

Kim Kardashian is reportedly scheduled to fly to Paris from Los Angeles to attend the April 28 trial.

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