She owned Monaco, but was murdered for 140 thousand euros: The shocking story of the billionaire who was betrayed by her family
2026-06-03 09:50:31
TiranaPost
She was one of the richest women in Europe, heiress to a billion-dollar empire and owner of about 15% of the real estate in Monaco.
But her life was taken for only 140 thousand euros.
It is about Hélène Pastor, one of the most well-known business figures in the principality of Monaco, who was killed in an assassination attempt that shocked Europe and which, according to investigations, was organized by her own son-in-law.
The incident occurred in May 2014. Pastor was leaving a hospital in Nice, France, with her driver, Mohamed Darwich. As they got into the car, gunmen opened fire at close range.
The driver died four days later, while Hélène Pastor passed away on May 21 after a several-day battle for survival.
Investigators analyzed millions of telephone communications and gradually arrived at the real author of the criminal plan. The conclusion was shocking: Wojciech Janowski, her daughter's husband, was behind the assassination.
During interrogation, Janowski admitted involvement in organizing the double murder.
According to the investigation, the motive was a mixture of greed, personal problems and financial interests. He had been living off his wife's family's wealth for years and was receiving large sums of money every month.
Authorities discovered that he had hired hitmen, spending around 140,000 euros to eliminate his mother-in-law.
In 2018, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The story shocked public opinion not only because of the victim's staggering wealth, but also because the crime came from a person who had been part of the family for almost three decades.
A bitter reminder that wealth and power are not always a protection against betrayal.
