The mother of a 12-year-old girl who was raped, tortured, and murdered delivered a powerful message to the perpetrator responsible for the heinous crime. Dahbia Benkired, 27, has made history in France by receiving a whole-life sentence for the brutal murder of Lola Daviet. The young girl’s lifeless body was discovered in the entrance of her apartment building in Paris in 2022. Benkired abducted Lola, subjected her to sexual assault, and fatally wounded her with a box cutter and scissors. Lola’s grieving mother addressed Benkired directly, denouncing her as a “monster” and recounting the heart-wrenching loss.
During the trial, Lola’s mother, Delphine Daviet, emotionally recounted her daughter’s vibrant personality and close-knit family dynamic. Delphine described Lola as cheerful, loving, and always eager to assist others, highlighting the strong bond within their family.
Delphine vividly recalled the fateful day that forever altered their lives. She mentioned how Lola returned home briefly before heading back to school, and how their plans for a weekend getaway were disrupted when Lola failed to return home that evening. Delphine shared the distressing moment when the police informed them of finding Lola’s tortured body in the courtyard of their residence.
The court heard how Benkired, an Algerian immigrant living in France illegally, silenced Lola by taping her mouth, leading to her untimely death. The gruesome details of the incident have sparked outrage in France, prompting protests outside the courthouse. The Attorney General condemned Benkired for preying on Lola for her own pleasure and gratification.
The judge, in delivering the verdict, characterized Benkired’s actions as extreme torture and acknowledged the profound psychological impact on the victim and her family. Delphine expressed relief at the sentencing outcome, stating, “We believed in justice and we received it.” Lola’s brother affirmed that justice was served by honoring his sister’s memory and revealing the truth behind the tragedy.