When firefighters entered 21 Rue le Sueur in Paris’ 16th arrondissement on the 11th March 1944, nothing seemed too out of the ordinary – except for the foul-smelling smoke from the chimney.The foul smoke had been pouting out of the chimney for 5 days, and the neighbours had had enough so had notified the police who then in turn called firefighters.

The firefighters proceeded to enter the home through the 2nd story window and then made their way down to the basement. Nothing could have prepared them for what they were about to stumble upon.

Sticking out of a furnace, as if waving hello, was a charred human arm.

Neighbours said the property belonged to Dr Marcel Petiot, but he was nowhere to be found. Could this well-respected doctor really be capable of this? Who were the bodies in the basement, and how many were there? And finally, where was Dr. Petiot?