In July 2003, during a row with his girlfriend
Marie Trintignant, who was married
at that time to
Samuel Benchetrit, in a Lithuanian hotel, he punched her
repeatedly, so she suffered a cerebral edema and died four days later.
In March 2004, Cantat was sentenced to eight years in prison for
manslaughter, which was initially appealed by Marie's family, who
wished for a heavier sentence. The family later canceled their
appeal.