Paris Shocked by Brutal Murder of 12-Year-Old Girl, Arrest Made

A tragic incident unfolded in Paris on October 14, 2022, when the lifeless body of 12-year-old Lola Daviet was discovered in a travel trunk in the basement of her apartment building. Her disappearance from school triggered a desperate search led by her father, Johan Daviet, who reviewed CCTV footage revealing that Lola had last been seen with a woman later identified as Dahbia Benkired, a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Algeria.

The day began with gloomy weather in the City of Light, with rain overshadowing brief moments of sunshine. As the clock approached 16:30, Johan became alarmed when Lola failed to return home from school. He promptly contacted the police, initiating a frantic search for his daughter. CCTV images showed Lola entering their building at 15:20, followed by Benkired, who was later seen leaving with a travel trunk and other belongings.

The search intensified throughout the evening, and around 23:30, a homeless man found the trunk in the building’s basement, revealing Lola’s body inside. Homicide detectives quickly focused on Benkired, who was arrested shortly after. During questioning, she provided a disturbing account of the events that transpired in her sister’s apartment, where she had allegedly lured Lola and subjected her to horrific acts.

The autopsy confirmed that Lola died from asphyxiation, having been raped and stabbed multiple times, with evidence suggesting a nearly decapitated state. Following her arrest, Benkired was charged with “murder of a minor under 15” and “rape with torture and acts of barbarism.”

Three days after the murder, on October 17, detectives charged Benkired, who had been living in France since arriving on a student visa in May 2016. Her immigration status had previously been flagged when she was detained at Orly Airport for lacking proper identification. She was granted 30 days to leave France, a deadline she ignored, leading to her involvement in Lola’s tragic death.

The public outcry was palpable as news of the murder spread. France had been grappling with issues surrounding immigration, particularly from Muslim-majority countries, and the revelation that an illegal immigrant was responsible for such a heinous crime intensified existing tensions. Politicians, including Republican Minister of Parliament Éric Pauget, criticized the government for failing to enforce immigration laws, stating, “Lola lost her life because you didn’t expel this national.”

The trial commenced on October 20, 2023, revealing the gruesome details of Lola’s murder. Grief-stricken relatives, including Lola’s mother, Delphine Daviet, were forced to endure harrowing evidence as the court presented graphic images of the crime scene. In a particularly emotional moment, Delphine asked a forensic pathologist whether her daughter had suffered, to which the pathologist confirmed, “She undoubtedly suffered.”

Tragically, Johan Daviet succumbed to alcoholism and died in February 2024, just months after the trial began, leaving Delphine to grapple with the loss of both her daughter and husband. Throughout the proceedings, Benkired expressed remorse, stating, “What I did was horrible and I regret it,” though her pleas for forgiveness were met with scorn by the victim’s family.

On October 24, 2023, Benkired was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, marking the first time a woman in France received such a sentence for murder. The presiding judge emphasized the “unspeakable psychological damage” inflicted on Lola’s family, reflecting the profound impact of the crime on the community.

This case not only highlights the tragic loss of a young life but also raises significant questions about immigration policies and public safety in France. As the country continues to navigate these complex issues, the memory of Lola Daviet serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for justice and reform.