A Sydney-based banker, David Cao, 37, has been charged with attempted murder and other offenses in France, following an alleged violent incident at a luxury hotel. Cao is accused of attacking his Australian boyfriend, entrepreneur Callum Forbes, on July 28 at the Château de Perreux boutique hotel in central France.
Guests and hotel staff reportedly heard screams before discovering Forbes with critical injuries, including being struck on the head with a kitchen pan and having boiling water poured over his body. Cao allegedly fled the scene in a rental car and was arrested approximately 36 hours later in Lille, nearly 500 kilometers north of the hotel, near the Belgian border.
He faces charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, theft, torture, and acts of barbarity. Local media reported that Cao confessed to the attack but stated he did not intend to kill his partner. He is currently awaiting trial and remains in custody.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to Forbes, who is recovering in a hospital. Australia has an extradition treaty with France, which could lead to Cao's return to Australia if certain legal requirements are met, including the alleged crime being an offense in both countries and French courts approving a formal extradition request.
Cao's professional background includes roles at major financial institutions such as ING Australia, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, and Goldman Sachs. According to his LinkedIn profile, he also served as a board member for Rainbow Giving Australia, an LGBTQI organization, where he stated he worked to build a culture of inclusion and foster an environment where employees feel safe and valued.
Previously, Cao had a brief relationship in 2020 with 'Intern' Pete Deppeler, a personality associated with the Kyle & Jackie O radio show. Sources described Cao to the Mail as "highly strung" and "erratic," with a history of problematic relationships. A former colleague from the Bank of Queensland characterized him as "annoying" to work with and possessing an "inflated opinion of himself."