About Charles Sobhraj
Charles Sobhraj, born on April 6, 1944, in Saigon, French Indochina (now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam), is a notorious serial killer, thief and fraudster. He is often referred to as the “Bikini Killer” or the “Serpent” due to his ability to evade capture by frequently changing his appearance and assuming multiple identities.
Sobhraj’s criminal activities began in the early 1970s, primarily targeting Western backpackers traveling the “Hippie Trail” across Asia. He drugged, robbed, and in some cases murdered his victims. He operated in multiple countries, including Thailand, India, Nepal, and Afghanistan, frequently changing his identity and appearance to avoid detection.
Sobhraj has been linked to numerous murders across Asia, he is believed to have been involved in the deaths of at least a dozen individuals, with speculation of up to thirty victims. However, due to the lack of extradition agreements and the passage of time, many of these cases were never tried. He was formally convicted of just two murders. His true number of victims is currently unknown.
Sobhraj spent approximately 20 years in jail in India between 1976 and 1997 with a few months of freedom during 1986 after orchestrating a daring prison escape. He was then deported to France and enjoyed life as a free man until his arrest in Nepal in 2003 where he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.
Sobhraj’s story gained renewed attention with the release of the 2021 BBC/Netflix series The Serpent, which dramatized his crimes and the international manhunt to capture him. The series sparked global interest in his case and his current status.
NAME: Charles Sobhraj
OTHER NAMES / ALIAS: Serpent, Bikini Killer
BORN: April 6, 1944
COUNTRY: Vietnam/France
VICTIMS: Convicted of 2 – Thought to be at least 12
CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS: 2x Murder
IMPRISONED AT: Previously imprisoned at Central Jail, Kathmandu, Nepal
WHERE IS Charles Sobhraj NOW?
- 2004 – Received a life sentence for murder + 20 years in Sep 2014 for murder.
Charles Sobhraj is currently a free man. He was released from jail in Nepal in December, 2022 and subsequently deported to France.
Sobhraj, who was 78 years old at the time of his release, was deported to France due to his age and health concerns after spending 19 years in Nepalese prison. He was banned from re-entering Nepal for 10 years.
Before his release, Sobhraj had been serving a life sentence in Central Jail, Kathmandu, Nepal. For his conviction in 2004 for the 1975 murder of American backpacker Connie Jo Bronzich, and subsequently Canadian tourist Laurent Carrière.
Whilst still in jail, Sobhraj repeatedly attempted to appeal his conviction, arguing procedural errors and lack of evidence. However, Nepalese courts consistently upheld his life sentence.
However, after undergoing cardiac surgery in jail, in 2019, Sobhraj began petitioning Nepal’s Supreme Court for early release on the grounds of age, health and good conduct – no crime committed while in custody. And consequently secured his early release.
Now he is free, Sobhraj has been busy trying to sell his story and seems hell bent on suing his ‘wrong-doers’. “We are going to sue the state of Nepal before the UN Human Rights Committee. We are going to sue Netflix and BBC for The Serpent because they have made the series on the basis that I’ve been convicted in Nepal in two murder cases, therefore I am a serial killer [1],” Sobhraj told Al Jazeera News.
In March 2024, disguised in a wig and spectacles, Sobhraj was spotted sightseeing in central London [2], where he had previously told Al Jazeera news he planned to make his base.
- Dutch may launch fresh bid to re-imprison Sobhraj for 1975 murder of two backpackers – 1 April 2024 [3]
- RELEASED from Nepal Prison – December 2022
- Deported to France as a free man – December 2022
[1] Al Jazeera: Charles Sobhraj, convicted murderer, has a new story to tell – 23 Aug 2023
[2] Daily Mail: The Serpent spotted in London: Serial killer Charles Sobhraj who murdered 20 Western backpackers strolls past capital’s landmarks disguised in wig as he boasts: I was like a shadow’ – 16 Mar 2024
[3] Daily Mail: Fresh twist in The Serpent serial killer Charles Sobhraj case over 1975 ‘murder’ of two backpackers – 1 April 2024
CRIMES COMMITTED
Sobhraj’s modus operandi involved befriending Western tourists, drugging them, and then stealing their possessions. In some cases, he murdered his victims to avoid detection. His crimes spanned several countries, including Thailand, India, Nepal, and Afghanistan and consisted predominantly of murder, theft and fraud.
One of his most infamous crimes was the murder of a group of tourists in Thailand in 1975. Sobhraj and his accomplices drugged and killed the tourists, leaving their bodies to decompose in a bungalow. This case brought him significant notoriety.
Sobhraj is believed to have been involved in the deaths of at least a dozen individuals, though many of these cases remain unresolved due to lack of evidence or the passage of time. Notably, In Thailand, Sobhraj was suspected of killing at least six tourists in the mid-1970s, but he was never formally charged in connection with these crimes. He was however, convicted for the murder of the following two victims in Nepal:
Connie Jo Bronzich (1975)
- Nationality: American
- Details: Bronzich was a 29-year-old backpacker whose body was discovered in Kathmandu, Nepal, in December 1975. She had been strangled and stabbed. Sobhraj was convicted of her murder in 2004 and sentenced to life imprisonment in Nepal.
Laurent Carrière (1975)
- Nationality: Canadian
- Details: Carrière was a 26-year-old tourist who was murdered in Nepal around the same time as Bronzich. His body was found near hers. On 18 September 2014, whilst already serving time for murder, Sobhraj was convicted of murdering Laurent Carrière, and sentenced to 20 years in prison in Nepal.
CAPTURE & INVESTIGATION
Charles Sobhraj’s capture is a fascinating story of international crime, evasion, and eventual justice. His ability to evade authorities for years earned him the nickname “The Serpent.” Below is a detailed account of his capture:
1. Charles Sobhraj Early Crimes and Evasion
- Sobhraj’s criminal activities began in the early 1970s, primarily targeting Western backpackers traveling the “Hippie Trail” across Asia. He drugged, robbed, and in some cases murdered his victims.
- He operated in multiple countries, including Thailand, India, Nepal, and Afghanistan, frequently changing his identity and appearance to avoid detection.
2. Charles Sobhraj First Major Capture in India (1976)
- Background: Sobhraj’s first significant capture occurred in India in 1976. He had been on the run for years, but his luck ran out when he attempted to drug a group of French students in Delhi.
- The Incident: Sobhraj invited the students to a party, where he planned to drug them and steal their passports and money. However, one of the students resisted, and Sobhraj was forced to flee. The students reported the incident to the police, leading to a manhunt.
- Capture: Sobhraj was arrested in Delhi shortly after the incident. During his interrogation, he was linked to multiple crimes, including theft, fraud, and murder.
- Outcome: Sobhraj was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempted murder and theft. However, he was not convicted of murder in India due to insufficient evidence.
3. Charles Sobhraj Escape from Indian Prison (1986)
- Sobhraj served nearly a decade in Tihar Jail, Delhi, but he was far from a model prisoner. He used his charisma and intelligence to manipulate guards and fellow inmates.
- In 1986, Sobhraj orchestrated a daring escape by drugging prison guards during a fake birthday celebration. He fled to Goa, where he lived freely for several months.
- Recapture: Sobhraj’s freedom was short-lived. He was recaptured in 1986 after being recognized by a journalist in Goa. He was returned to Tihar Jail to serve the remainder of his sentence.
4. Charles Sobhraj Release and Deportation to France (1997)
- Sobhraj was released from Indian prison in 1997 after serving his full sentence. He was deported to France, where he briefly lived as a free man.
- During this time, Sobhraj gave interviews and even attempted to profit from his notoriety by selling his story. However, his freedom was short-lived.
5. Charles Sobhraj Final Capture in Nepal (2003)
- Background: In 2003, Sobhraj traveled to Nepal, possibly to explore business opportunities or to relive his past. However, he was recognized by local authorities, who had been alerted to his presence.
- Arrest: Sobhraj was arrested in Kathmandu for the 1975 murder of American backpacker Connie Jo Bronzich. Her body had been discovered in Nepal, and Sobhraj was identified as a suspect.
- Trial and Conviction: Sobhraj was tried in Nepal and convicted in 2004. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for Bronzich’s murder. Despite numerous appeals, his conviction has been upheld, and he remains incarcerated in Nepal as of March 2025.
Sobhraj’s capture marked the end of a decades-long crime spree that terrorized travelers across Asia. His story has been the subject of books, documentaries, and the 2021 Netflix series The Serpent, which brought renewed attention to his crimes and the efforts to bring him to justice.
TRIAL & CONVICTIONS
Charles Sobhraj’s trials have been a complex and protracted legal saga, spanning multiple countries and decades. His criminal activities in the 1970s, including murders, thefts, and frauds, led to several arrests and trials. Below is an overview of his most significant trials:
1. Charles Sobhraj Trial in India (1976)
- Background: Sobhraj was arrested in India in 1976 after a failed attempt to drug a group of French students. He was linked to multiple crimes, including theft and murder.
- Charges: Sobhraj was charged with the murder of a French tourist, Jean-Luc Solomon, and the attempted murder of the French students. He was also accused of other crimes, including passport fraud and theft.
- Outcome: Sobhraj was convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison for the attempted murder and theft charges. However, he was not convicted of murder in India due to insufficient evidence.
- Escape: In 1986, Sobhraj famously escaped from Tihar Jail in Delhi by drugging prison guards. He was recaptured a few months later and served the remainder of his sentence.
2. Charles Sobhraj Trial in Nepal (2004)
Appeals: Sobhraj has repeatedly appealed his conviction, arguing procedural errors and lack of direct evidence. However, Nepalese courts have consistently upheld his life sentence. His most recent appeal was rejected in 2022.
Background: After his release from Indian prison in 1997, Sobhraj was deported to France. However, in 2003, he traveled to Nepal, where he was recognized and arrested for the 1975 murder of American backpacker Connie Jo Bronzich.
Charges: Sobhraj was charged with the murder of Bronzich, whose body was found in Kathmandu. He was also suspected of involvement in the murder of Canadian tourist Laurent Carrière, but the primary trial focused on Bronzich’s case.
Outcome: In 2004, Sobhraj was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment by a Nepalese court. The trial was controversial, with Sobhraj claiming innocence and arguing that the evidence against him was circumstantial and fabricated.
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REFERENCES / CITATIONS:
1. Al Jazeera: French serial killer Charles Sobhraj released from Nepal prison.
2. Al Jazeera: Charles Sobhraj, convicted murderer, has a new story to tell – 23 Aug 2023
3. BBC News: “Serial killer The Serpent, Charles Sobhraj, speaks after release.” – 23 Dec 2022
4. Netflix: “The Serpent: Who is Charles Sobhraj?” – 2021
5. The Guardian: “‘Serpent’ serial killer Charles Sobhraj returns to France after 19 years in prison.” – 24 Dec 2022
BOOKS ABOUT Charles Sobhraj
On the Trail of the Serpent: The Epic Hunt for the Bikini Killer
The complete story of Charles Sobhraj, the serial killer who inspired the hit Netflix series The Serpent. Charles Sobhraj remains one of the world’s great conmen…
Serpentine: Charles Sobhraj’s Reign of Terror from Europe to South Asia
Times Bestseller: This in-depth account of Charles Sobhraj, the serial killer portrayed in Netflix miniseries The Serpent, is “compulsive reading” (The Plain Dealer).
TV SHOWS & DOCS FEATURING Charles Sobhraj
The Serpent
The twisting, real-life story of Charles Sobhraj, a murderer, thief and seductive master of disguise, who was a hidden darkness in the mid-70’s on Asia’s hippie trail.
TV Mini Series | 2021 | 8 Episodes
NETFLIX
MORE ARTICLES ABOUT Charles Sobhraj
A selection of relevant articles about Charles Sobhraj, sourced and curated from around the web:
Fresh twist in The Serpent serial killer Charles Sobhraj case over 1975 ‘murder’ of two backpackers
Daily Mail | Author: Shekhar Bhatia & Peter Allen | 1 April 2024
The Serpent spotted in London: Serial killer Charles Sobhraj who murdered 20 Western backpackers strolls past capital’s landmarks disguised in wig as he boasts: I was like a shadow’
Daily Mail | Author: Stewart Carr | 16 Mar 2024
Charles Sobhraj, convicted murderer, has a new story to tell.
Al Jazeera | Author: Suparna Sharma | 23 Aug 2023
‘Serpent’ serial killer Charles Sobhraj returns to France after 19 years in prison
Guardian | Reuters in Paris | 24 Dec 2022
Serial killer The Serpent, Charles Sobhraj, speaks after release
BBC News | Video | 23 Dec 2022
