Narcissistic and Antisocial Personality Profiles of the Person(s) of Interest in the Murder of Vincent van Gogh

On May 20, 1890, Vincent arrived in Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris after his asylum discharge “cured.” Auvers was recommended by his brother Theo so he could be watched by Dr. Paul-Ferdinand Gachet, a homeopathic doctor and friend to many of the new artists. Vincent was described as happy and very productive in his new life. Sadly, Vincent was shot in the belly and was reported as a suicide by his doctor and friend. Recent forensic studies provide an alternative narrative. It was not possible for Vincent to shoot himself in the belly without the telltale black powder burn ring around his entry wound description. Dr. Gachet and his son, Paul, Jr, have been implicated as the primary persons of interest in the murder of Vincent van Gogh. This article offers a retrospective assessment of Dr. Gachet as a medical practitioner, his personality traits and associated behaviors that transformed an initially favorable and optimistic relationship with Vincent into a dark and tragic situation resulting in Vincent’s death. Paul Jr., likewise exhibited his father’s self-serving personality profile. They both manifested characteristics of Antisocial and Narcissistic Personality Disorders. Would these personality disorders be sufficient for them to commit murder? The answer is clearly a solid YES! There are several significant motives: an opportunity, a weapon, and proximity to each other on the day Vincent was shot. This proximity was confirmed when Paul, Jr. and his sister, Marguerite, were interviewed years later by a well- known Van Gogh expert. Doing this detailed personality profile for criminal behavior and intent checks all the boxes of these primary persons of interest and further strengthens the case for murder, not suicide, as this personality profile comfortably brings together all the missing pieces and finally connects all the dots and even dots the "i’s" and crosses the "t’s." The Doctor Did Do It!!!.