Didier Dubreucq, one of the convicted members of the infamous “grandpa robbers” gang responsible for the 2016 Kim Kardashian Paris jewelry heist, has died at the age of 69. The 69-year-old Didier Dubreucq was released due to poor health and died following a battle with lung cancer, French authorities confirmed on Thursday morning.
Dubreucq, nicknamed “Blue Eyes,” had been battling lung cancer throughout the trial proceedings and was diagnosed with the disease while in pre-trial detention; he underwent chemotherapy during the court process. His deteriorating health significantly impacted his participation—he was hospitalized multiple times and was absent from the sentencing hearing on May 23, 2025, due to medical treatments.
During his April testimony, Dubreucq testified while seated, having just completed a three-hour chemotherapy session. His lawyer highlighted the challenges his fragile condition posed for court appearances.
In May, he was found guilty alongside six other men and one woman, receiving a seven-year sentence with five years suspended. However, he was released after accounting for time served in pre-trial detention, compounded by his deteriorating health. Ultimately, he succumbed to the lung cancer that had ravaged his body.
The robbery that led to Dubreucq’s conviction took place in the early hours of October 3, 2016, during Paris Fashion Week. Kim Kardashian was staying at the luxury Hotel de Pourtalès in central Paris when five men, disguised as police officers, forced their way into the building. The thieves stole approximately $10 million worth of jewelry, including Kardashian’s $4 million diamond engagement ring from then-husband Kanye West.
Authorities described the heist as executed with “military-level precision.” However, DNA evidence and investigative work later led to the perpetrators’ capture. Kardashian was bound, gagged, and held at gunpoint during the ordeal, which she later called “the most terrifying experience of my life.”
The “grandpa robbers” trial—nicknamed for the advanced ages of most defendants in their 60s and 70s—concluded on May 23, 2025. Eight of the ten defendants were found guilty, while two were acquitted. Dubreucq received a seven-year prison sentence, with five years suspended.
Despite the conviction, Dubreucq maintained his innocence. During his testimony, he claimed
, “It’s a mistaken identity case… I had nothing to do with this.” In a letter read by his lawyer after the verdict, he wrote, “I never participated in this jewelry theft. You don’t condemn a man on the altar of suspicion and doubt.”
Judge David De Pas considered the defendants’ ages and health during sentencing. He noted,
“The state of health of the main protagonists ethically prohibits incarcerating anyone.”
None of the convicted defendants returned to prison after their sentencing, having already served time in pre-trial detention, two years in Dubreucq’s case.
The judge acknowledged the harm inflicted on Kardashian, stating,
“You caused harm, even if you didn’t strike physically and blood was not spilt. You caused fear.”
However, he added that imprisoning the elderly defendants “would have been unjust” given their circumstances.
After the convictions, Kim Kardashian expressed gratitude for the French judicial system while reflecting on the crime’s lasting impact.
“The crime was the most terrifying experience of my life, leaving a lasting impact on me and my family,” she said. “While I’ll never forget what happened, I believe in the power of growth and accountability and pray for healing for all.”
In her emotional May 2025 testimony, Kardashian recounted the robbery’s harrowing details, describing how she feared rape and death. The trauma significantly altered her approach to security and public life thereafter.
The stolen jewelry was never recovered. The heist remains one of the most audacious celebrity crimes in modern French history, serving as a cautionary tale about the intersection of crime, celebrity, and justice.
