Mastermind Behind Kim Kardashian’s $10M Jewelry Heist Dead Days Before Court Date

PARIS — A key suspect in the infamous 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian has died just days before he was scheduled to stand trial, French authorities confirmed this weekend.

Yunice Abbas, 68, one of the men accused of orchestrating the $10 million jewellery heist, reportedly died of natural causes, according to a source familiar with the case. Abbas, a career criminal, had already spent time in jail for his role in the shocking crime that stunned the world nearly a decade ago.

Abbas was one of a group of masked men who stormed Kardashian’s luxury residence at the Hôtel de Pourtalès during Paris Fashion Week. They tied her up, held her at gunpoint, and made off with millions in jewellery, including her famed engagement ring from Kanye West. The robbery made international headlines and left Kardashian traumatised, prompting her to change her approach to security and public life.

Although Abbas previously published a memoir bragging about the heist, he and several others were still facing trial for various charges related to the robbery. His death means he will never face a formal verdict from the French court.

The trial, set to begin later this year, will continue against the remaining defendants. Legal experts say Abbas’s death could slightly complicate proceedings but is unlikely to derail the broader case, which involves extensive evidence gathered over years of investigation.

The Kardashian robbery remains one of the most high-profile celebrity crimes of the past decade. Kim Kardashian has spoken publicly about the long-term emotional impact, revealing that she continues to struggle with anxiety and PTSD stemming from the ordeal.

French prosecutors have not released an official statement regarding Abbas’s death, but confirmed that preparations for the trial are proceeding.