Maxime Tessier, the lawyer who defended Le Scouarnec, died weeks after the sentencing verdict.
RENNES, FRANCE – The lawyer who defended disgraced former surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec—convicted of sexually abusing nearly 300 patients—has died in what officials describe as an apparent suicide.
Maxime Tessier, 34, was found dead overnight between July 8 and July 9, according to the Rennes prosecutor’s office.
French court scandal resurfaces after death of defence lawyer
Prosecutors stated that “everything points to suicide,” and an investigation is now underway. Tessier had been one of two lawyers representing Le Scouarnec, a former surgeon whose case is widely regarded as one of the most disturbing criminal trials in modern French legal history.
Colleagues described Tessier as a principled lawyer and a father of two. His associate, Catherine Glon, said he “held a very high regard for justice and was extremely demanding of himself.”
Convicted surgeon’s crimes left hundreds of survivors traumatised
Joel Le Scouarnec, now 74, was sentenced to 20 years in prison in May 2025 for the rape or sexual assault of 299 patients. According to court proceedings, many of the victims were under anaesthesia or in post-surgical recovery when the assaults occurred between 1989 and 2014.
The three-month trial in Vannes revealed that Le Scouarnec kept detailed journals, listing victims’ names, ages, and the nature of each abuse. He openly described himself as “a major pervert” and “very happy about it.”
Legal profession shaken by Maxime Tessier’s apparent suicide
In court, Tessier had asked the panel to weigh the “exceptional” nature of his client’s confessions. However, prosecutors warned that Le Scouarnec remained a high risk to reoffend even in old age.
Following the trial, Tessier reportedly suffered significant emotional strain. His death has reignited debate over the psychological toll on legal professionals defending clients in highly traumatic and morally weighty cases.
Calls grow for mental health support within justice system
Legal associations across France have expressed shock and concern, with several urging the Ministry of Justice to implement structured psychological support for attorneys dealing with complex and emotionally exhausting cases.
One senior barrister said the case “exposed not just systemic flaws in hospitals but also a silence in legal circles around mental health.”
Public anger mounts over institutional failures
Despite a 2005 conviction for possessing child abuse images, Le Scouarnec continued practicing until 2017. Authorities admitted oversight failures across multiple hospitals where complaints or suspicions were either ignored or not followed up.
Survivors and advocacy groups argue that France’s medical oversight system enabled the abuse to continue unchecked for decades.
Many demanded that the Health Ministry release internal audit reports on how Le Scouarnec’s employment history was reviewed—or overlooked—during that time.
Victims stage protests demanding justice and protection
During the sentencing phase, survivors held signs outside the courthouse reading “Never Again” and “No Excuse for Abuses.” Some have launched a collective initiative calling for reforms including lifetime psychological care, legal restitution, and public accountability from health institutions.
Marie-France Le Scouarnec accused of complicity by silence
Le Scouarnec’s wife, Marie-France, has denied knowledge of the abuse. However, several victims accused her of enabling her husband’s actions by remaining silent. “She lived with him and had to know,” one survivor told reporters. “Her silence allowed him to continue.”
Le Scouarnec’s brother publicly stated that Marie-France could have intervened years earlier and described her as “the only other person who could have ended it.”
France mulls legal reforms in response to French court scandal
Following the outcry, the Ministry of Justice is reportedly drafting new legislation to tighten controls on professionals with prior convictions.
Proposals include strengthening reporting obligations, removing statutory limitations on child sexual abuse, and introducing annual audits for medical personnel records.
Explore the full timeline in our French court scandal archive.
Victims’ groups are also calling for a national registry of convicted sex offenders within the medical field, accessible to both patients and employers.
National reckoning over abuse and accountability
The French court scandal continues to resonate across France, with the death of Maxime Tessier seen as a tragic consequence of a broken system.
Survivors and reformers insist the country must face not only what happened in operating rooms—but also what was allowed to continue in silence.
If you need support, contact Samaritans at 116 123 or access resources via The Calm Zone.
