Fred Dewilde did not survive the terror of the Bataclan. Almost nine years after the attack which left France in mourning, the designer, survivor of the pit in which he found himself trapped with hundreds of other people, succumbed to his “invisible” wounds, but nevertheless very real. On May 5, 2024, he ended his life, “devastated by the violence of his traumas against which he fought tirelessly with so much courage, talent and generosity“, announced his family in a poignant statement shared The Parisian.
Renowned designer, Fred Dewilde notably recounted his experience of the Bataclan in several comics. His work, imbued with pain and resilience, had reached a wide audience. But behind the precise line and the grating humor was hidden a man broken by the horrors he had experienced.
Fred Dewilde was a true pillar of survivors
Born in 1966, Fred Dewilde was a renowned cartoonist, particularly for his autobiographical comics recounting his experience at the Bataclan. In My Bataclanhe depicted with striking rawness the incredible violence of the attack and the psychological aftereffects which gnawed at him. His work, imbued with rare sincerity and raw emotional power, had touched many readers, making him an emblematic figure of the survivors of the Paris attacks and post-attack trauma.
Beyond his art, Fred Dewilde was also actively involved in defending the victims of the Bataclan. He was notably a member of the Life for Paris association, where he offered his support and listening to other survivors. His commitment and compassion had made him a pillar of the victims’ community, always ready to extend a helping hand to those in need.
He will have fought until the end
Despite his unwavering commitment and immense talent, Fred Dewilde never succeeded in exorcising the demons from the Bataclan. But can we really exorcise this kind of demon? The incredible violence of that night had left indelible marks on his soul, plunging him into a spiral of post-traumatic stress and depression. Despite the support of his relatives and friends, he never found inner peace.
“He said a part of him died that night“, confide his loved ones in a poignant press release. Haunted by the unbearable memories of the attack, he was consumed by a feeling of guilt for having survived when so many others had perished. The pain was so deep, so elusive, that he ultimately couldn’t bear its weight.
He leaves behind a precious legacy
The suicide of Fred Dewilde is a new tragedy which hits the community of Bataclan survivors hard and demonstrates the immense difficulty in overcoming such trauma. His disappearance is an immense loss for the world of comics and for all those who fight against violence and intolerance. But if Fred Dewilde is no longer there, his legacy will remain forever engraved. His powerful and committed art will continue to bear witness to the horror of the Bataclan and the need to combat violence in all its forms.
Its commitment to victims will remain a Source of inspiration for all those who work for a fairer and more fraternal world. Fred Dewilde passed away, devastated by the trauma of the Bataclan. But his fight against violence and his support for victims will not stop. His tragic story should serve as a reminder to all.
