The mother of a 12-year-old girl who was raped, tortured, and murdered delivered a powerful message to the perpetrator responsible for her daughter’s death. Dahbia Benkired, aged 27, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole, marking the first time in French history that a woman has received such a punishment for the brutal killing of Lola Daviet. Lola’s body was discovered in the entrance of her apartment building in Paris in 2022. Benkired kidnapped the young girl, sexually assaulted her, and then fatally wounded her by slashing her throat with a box cutter and scissors. Lola’s grieving mother expressed her sentiments towards Benkired, whom she termed a “monster”, highlighting the devastation caused by the tragedy.
During the trial, Lola’s mother, Delphine Daviet, emotionally recounted memories of her daughter and their close-knit family dynamic. She described Lola as a cheerful, loving, and helpful child with a resilient personality. Delphine narrated the heart-wrenching details of the day that forever changed their lives, emphasizing the pain of losing her daughter.
On the fateful evening of October 14, 2022, as the family prepared to depart for Pas-de-Calais for a weekend getaway, concerns arose when Lola failed to return home after school. Delphine explained that Lola encountered Benkired outside their apartment building, referring to her as a “monster” and questioning why Lola followed her. Despite teaching her children to be cautious around strangers, Delphine lamented her inability to save Lola, expressing eternal sorrow over the loss.
Authorities later informed the family of the discovery of Lola’s mutilated body in a plastic container within their building’s courtyard. The horrifying nature of the crime sparked public outrage, leading to protests outside the courthouse. The judge, in delivering the verdict, condemned Benkired’s actions as “true torture”, acknowledging the profound psychological trauma inflicted on the victim and her family.
Following the sentencing, Delphine expressed faith in the judicial system, stating, “We believed in justice and we received it.” Lola’s brother affirmed that the family had honored his sister’s memory and upheld the truth. The case has stirred widespread anger in France, underscoring the urgent need for justice and awareness of such heinous crimes.