The family of a schoolgirl who was tragically raped and killed by a 27-year-old woman has revealed that the girl’s father passed away due to overwhelming grief following the 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 container outside their residence in Paris.
Following a conviction for rape, torture, and murder, Algerian-born Dahbia Benkired was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 30 years. This marked the first instance in French legal history where a woman received a whole-life sentence.
Reports from the court indicated that Benkired likely carried out the heinous act as retaliation against the girl’s mother for denying her access to the building.
A significant controversy arose in France when it was revealed that Benkired had overstayed her student visa and had been instructed to leave the country prior to the incident.
Lola’s mother and father, Johan Daviet, expressed dismay over the exploitation of their daughter’s name for political purposes. Tragically, Mr. Daviet, aged 49, succumbed to despair in February of the following year, emotionally impacted by his daughter’s untimely death.
In a poignant courtroom statement, Lola’s mother recounted how her husband spiraled into alcoholism following their daughter’s murder, ultimately succumbing to the weight of his grief.
Before his death, Mr. Daviet left a heartfelt letter at Benkired’s doorstep expressing his confusion and deep love for his daughter.
During the trial, Lola’s brother, Thibault Daviet, represented the family and his deceased father, urging for truth and justice to prevail in honor of the lost loved one.
CCTV footage presented in court depicted Benkired handling the victim’s body at a Parisian bar post the murder. The court also learned of mysterious markings on Lola’s feet, with medical evidence revealing the extent of her injuries.
As details of Lola’s injuries were disclosed in court, family members were visibly distressed. The young girl had sustained severe wounds, including visible trauma to her genitals and a significant laceration on her face.
The trial shed light on the events leading up to Lola’s death, with evidence suggesting Benkired had transported the body in a plastic box across Paris before abandoning it on a street.
At the commencement of the trial, Benkired sought forgiveness and expressed remorse for her actions. She was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment, with no possibility of early release.