Patricia Cartier worked as a caregiver for the elderly in France. Alongside her husband, Emmanuel, she accumulated substantial debt, amounting to €250,000, through various credit cards and consumer loans. Their financial struggles were exacerbated by their spending habits, often purchasing items for their five children, including televisions, personal computers, hi-fi systems, and game consoles.

In August 2002, overwhelmed by insurmountable debt, Patricia and her husband devised a plan to end their lives and those of their five children. After taking the family out for a meal, they returned home, where Patricia informed the children they would receive vaccinations for an upcoming holiday. Under this pretense, she administered insulin injections to each child and then to herself, using insulin taken from the elderly care facility where she worked. Emmanuel attempted to end his life by slashing his wrists but was unsuccessful.

The insulin doses proved fatal for their 11-year-old daughter, Alicia, who died in the hospital three weeks later. The other children survived the ordeal. Patricia stated in court that she dressed the children in new clothes purchased with their remaining money so they would be "nicely dressed when they reached the other side."

In 2005, a court in Beauvais convicted Patricia of murder and attempted murder, sentencing her to 10 years in prison. She was released after serving her sentence.