A Mysterious Predator Strikes
In 1764, 14-year-old Jeanne Boulet was found dead with gruesome injuries near Gévaudan, France. Her death marked the beginning of a terrifying series of attacks. Over the next three years, nearly 300 victims—mostly women and children—were mauled, their throats torn open or heads gnawed off.
A Nation on Edge
As the attacks continued, fear spread beyond the remote countryside to Versailles. Local officials and aristocrats organized hunts, with Captain Jean Baptiste Duhamel leading 30,000 men in an effort to kill the beast. Hunters described it as massive, unlike any known animal, with some even claiming supernatural abilities.
Failed Hunts and Renewed Horror
Despite numerous efforts, the beast remained elusive. In 1765, King Louis XV sent his royal gun-bearer, François Antoine, who shot a large wolf believed to be the culprit. He was celebrated, but the killings resumed just two months later, leaving villagers desperate.
The Final Shot
On June 19, 1767, local farmer Jean Chastel shot and killed a creature, and the attacks stopped. Whether it was a single monster, a pack of wolves, or something else remains a mystery.
In 1764, 14-year-old Jeanne Boulet was found dead with gruesome injuries near Gévaudan, France. Her death marked the beginning of a terrifying series of attacks. 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/nKAhbAb2y6
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 19, 2025