French ex-cop arrested for killings in Portugal after kidnapping his children has shocked authorities and the public across two countries. Cedric Prizzon, a former member of the Paris police and a one-time rugby league youth international, is accused of killing both his former partner and ex-girlfriend following a series of abductions that have left communities in France and Portugal reeling.
Portuguese police detained Prizzon near Meda in northern Portugal late Wednesday while he was traveling with his two children, a 12-year-old boy and an 18-month-old girl. Authorities discovered a pump-action shotgun, forged documents, fake license plates, and 17,000 euros in cash inside the vehicle. Investigators also uncovered two bodies buried in a remote location, which are believed to be those of Prizzon’s former partner and ex-partner. Identification procedures and forensic work are ongoing.
Prizzon’s background adds a troubling layer to the case. He had previously been stripped of his custody rights after a bitter public fight over his son, during which he had illegally taken the boy to Spain in 2021. He was also convicted of harassing his former partner, and he actively campaigned as a father’s rights activist. His social media and public protests often targeted his ex-partner, accusing her of endangering their child and participating in broader demonstrations for fathers who had lost custody disputes.
The case escalated quickly after Prizzon’s former partner disappeared from her home in the Aveyron area of south-central France last week. French authorities initiated a manhunt when she failed to appear at her insurance job and her son did not attend school. The disappearance coincided with Prizzon, his new 26-year-old partner, and their baby daughter also vanishing from their home in Savignac, intensifying suspicion that he was behind the abductions.
On Thursday, Prizzon appeared before a judge in Vila Nova de Foz Coa, near where he was apprehended. Witnesses reported by AFP that bystanders shouted “Killer! Killer!” as he entered the small provincial courthouse. The Portuguese authorities confirmed that the children would be returned to France.
This case highlights the dangers inherent when custody disputes intersect with unresolved personal grievances and access to weapons. Investigators in both France and Portugal continue to examine the circumstances that led to these killings, and authorities have warned that additional details may emerge as evidence is consolidated. The international scope of the case, combined with Prizzon’s prior law enforcement experience and public activism, has intensified scrutiny and public concern.
The investigation continues, with authorities emphasizing the need to protect the children and prevent further tragedies. This arrest marks a rare and chilling instance where custody disputes, personal vendettas, and premeditated violence converged with deadly consequences.
