The World - News from Dec. 4, 1987

Two men arrested in Paris have confessed to killing 21 elderly women in a series of murders that have stumped police for three years, French authorities said. Thierry Paulin, 24, was arrested after police produced a composite portrait with the help of an elderly woman who was attacked recently but escaped. After Paulin’s fingerprints matched those found in the homes of seven murder victims, he confessed to all 21 killings, police said. Paulin’s alleged accomplice, arrested later, was identified as Jean-Thierry Mathurin, 22. Police said the two may have been involved in additional murders. Since 1984, 38 women, all older than 60, have been slain in Paris.