Part 5/9:
On August 28, 1905, in Commugny, Switzerland, Jean Lanfray—a known alcoholic—killed his wife and two children after a series of alcohol-fueled incidents, culminating in him firing a rifle in a fit of rage. Initially, the focus might have been on his immense alcohol consumption, yet the media sensationalized the role of absinthe, branding Lanfray as a victim of "absentism."
The widespread reporting intensified public consciousness regarding absinthe, leading to outrage, which helped fuel its prohibition. Even as the evidence showed Lanfray had consumed significant amounts of other alcoholic beverages, the narrative shifted almost entirely to absinthe. Lanfray's own defense grew reliant on the drink's reputation, but ultimately he was declared guilty.