The family of a schoolgirl who was brutally raped and murdered by a 27-year-old woman claims that the girl’s father succumbed to grief following the tragic incident.
Shortly after being reported missing in October 2022, the lifeless body of 12-year-old Lola Daviet was discovered mutilated and concealed in a plastic box outside her family’s residence in Paris.
In a recent court ruling, Algerian-born Dahbia Benkired was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 30 years for the rape, torture, and killing of Lola. This landmark decision marked the first instance in French legal history where a woman received a whole-life sentence.
The court proceedings revealed that Benkired allegedly carried out the heinous act as a form of retaliation after Lola’s mother refused to provide her with a key to the building.
Following Benkired’s arrest, a political controversy erupted in France due to her unlawful overstay on a student visa, which had expired earlier in the year. Lola’s parents expressed disapproval of any political exploitation of their daughter’s name and image.
Tragically, Lola’s father passed away at the age of 49 in February the previous year, reportedly consumed by grief after his daughter’s demise. Lola’s mother recounted how he resorted to heavy drinking as a coping mechanism and eventually succumbed to his inner struggles.
Before his death, the father left a poignant note on Benkired’s door expressing confusion over the cruelty inflicted upon Lola and expressing his enduring love for his daughter.
During the trial, Lola’s brother, Thibault Daviet, spoke on behalf of the family, emphasizing the importance of revealing the truth surrounding the tragedy to the public and to the bereaved family.
Court evidence included CCTV footage showing Benkired handling the suitcase containing Lola’s body in a Paris bar following the murder. Disturbingly, the victim’s feet bore mysterious markings, and a medical expert testified to the severity of Lola’s wounds before her death.
As the trial progressed, family members left the courtroom when graphic images of Lola’s injuries were presented. The prosecution detailed visible trauma to Lola’s genitals, a severe wound on her face, and multiple injuries to her back and head.
On the day of the murder, witnesses saw Lola entering the apartment building and engaging with Benkired before being taken inside, where the tragic events unfolded. Benkired was accused of transporting Lola’s body in a plastic box around Paris before discarding it, where it was later discovered by a passerby.
At the onset of the trial, Benkired expressed remorse and sought forgiveness from the family for her abhorrent actions. She was ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of early release.
Throughout the trial proceedings, the devastating impact of the crime on Lola’s family and the community was palpable, underscoring the need for justice and closure in the wake of such a tragic event.