Marceau Baum-Gertner, a key figure in the 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian in Paris, has died just weeks before he was set to stand trial. Baum-Gertner, known in the Paris criminal underworld as “Rough Nose” and “Rough Diamond,” was 72 years old. His unexpected death on March 6, 2025, has left authorities scrambling and sparked a wave of speculation across traditional and social media.
Marceau Baum-Gertner was no stranger to law enforcement. With a criminal record dating back to the late 1990s, he had been convicted multiple times for robbery, forgery, and handling stolen goods. Despite efforts to present a legitimate front — operating small businesses that authorities long suspected were cover operations — his reputation on the streets was unmistakable.
Nicknamed “Rough Nose” for his distinctive, battered appearance, and “Rough Diamond” for his slippery nature, Baum-Gertner was seen as a quiet but dangerous player in France’s shadowy criminal circles. He lived a peculiar life, blending low-profile activities with occasional brushes with high-stakes crime, often seen accompanied by his beloved bulldog, “Al Capone.”
Baum-Gertner’s alleged involvement in the 2016 Paris robbery put him at the center of global attention. That October, during Paris Fashion Week, a group of five armed men dressed as police officers forced their way into Kardashian’s private apartment at the discreet Hôtel de Pourtalès. They overpowered the concierge, tied up Kardashian at gunpoint, and locked her in the bathroom. Over $9 million worth of jewelry was taken, including her $4 million Lorraine Schwartz engagement ring from Kanye West — a piece that remains missing to this day.
Investigators believe Kardashian’s highly public social media posts flaunting her jewelry made her an easy target. Baum-Gertner’s alleged role? Acting as the “super fence” — the vital link who arranged buyers for the stolen goods, moving hot diamonds and jewels through international networks.
Following the heist, Baum-Gertner reportedly made multiple trips to Antwerp, Belgium — known as a major hub for the diamond trade. He was said to have had meetings with buyers from Georgia, the U.S., and Israel to secretly redistribute the high-profile items.
Even with the intensive surveillance and interrogation following his arrest in 2017, Baum-Gertner never revealed the identities of his partners. This only enhanced his legend within criminal circles but set him up as a target. As the trial approached, there were growing fears he might finally talk in exchange for leniency.
Baum-Gertner died suddenly in Paris’s 10th arrondissement. The cause of death remains undisclosed, though authorities have acknowledged it was “unexpected.” Given his recent receipt of death threats — reportedly from former criminal associates wary of what he might reveal in court — suspicions of foul play have been impossible to ignore.
He had been free on bail, living quietly while under police watch, and was officially added to the defendants’ list on March 14, 2025 — just eight days after his death. His passing caught both legal teams and the public completely off guard.
Baum-Gertner’s death throws a wrench into the upcoming trial, scheduled to begin April 28 and run through May 23, 2025. With nine other defendants still facing charges, the prosecution loses a potentially crucial figure whose testimony — voluntary or forced — could have helped unravel deeper connections in the heist.
Kim Kardashian, who is scheduled to testify next month, will provide a vivid account of the terrifying events of that evening. Thanks to her star power, the trial will be a tabloid spectacle, but without Baum-Gertner, it is a gaping loophole within the narrative — and perhaps within the pursuit of justice.
News of Baum-Gertner’s death quickly spread across news outlets and social media, where conspiracy theories erupted almost instantly. Some online users hinted — without evidence — at involvement by Kardashian or her former husband Kanye West. Others speculated about silent retribution by underworld figures determined to keep secrets buried.
Traditional media have been more circumspect but allude to the surrounding speculation. Analysts comment that prosecutions of organized crime cases are notoriously perilous for witnesses as for defendants, and Baum-Gertner’s unexpected demise falls into a disturbing trend.
