Hamida Djandoubi was born on 22 September 1949 in Tunis, Tunisia. He moved to Marseille, France, in 1968, where he initially worked in a grocery store and later as a landscaper. In 1971, he suffered a workplace accident that resulted in the amputation of two-thirds of his right leg. During his recovery in the hospital, he met Élisabeth Bousquet, a 21-year-old woman, who would later become his victim.

In 1973, Djandoubi was accused by Bousquet of attempting to force her into prostitution, leading to his arrest. After his release, he coerced two other young women into prostitution. On 3 July 1974, he kidnapped Bousquet, brought her to his home, and tortured her in front of the two other women. He then drove her to the outskirts of Marseille and strangled her. Her body was discovered on 7 July 1974.

Djandoubi was arrested on 11 August 1974. He was tried and convicted of murder with aggravating circumstances, procuring, rape (2 counts), and premeditated violence (3 counts) on 25 February 1977. His appeals were rejected, and he was executed by guillotine on 10 September 1977 at Baumettes Prison in Marseille. He was the last person to be executed by guillotine in France and the Western world.