Tragic Case of Laura Daviette’s Murder in France
A father suffered immensely after his 12-year-old daughter was brutally murdered, reportedly “dying of grief,” as her mother recounted in court. Laura Daviette’s body was discovered mutilated and partially decapitated inside a suitcase, following her abduction and horrific mistreatment in 2022. This shocking event drew widespread attention in the U.S. and ignited protests concerning immigration policies.
Davia Benkired, a 27-year-old sex worker who had overstayed her visa, was convicted of the murder. On Friday, she received a life sentence without parole, marking her as the first woman from a European country to face such a sentence.
Delphine Daviette, Laura’s mother, shared in court that her husband had struggled with sobriety but began drinking heavily once their daughter’s body was found, ultimately passing away in February 2024 at age 49.
“He drank from morning till night,” she revealed, expressing the profound sorrow the family endured.
Benkired, originally from Algeria, had no stable home and was working as a prostitute at the time of Laura’s murder. During the trial, the court was shown harrowing images of Laura’s body, bearing signs of brutal violence.
Details emerged that Benkired lured Laura to her sister’s apartment after school. Once there, she forced Laura to undress, subjected her to disturbing acts, and ultimately killed her by suffocation and stabbing.
Afterward, Benkired disposed of Laura’s body in a black suitcase, which was later discovered by a homeless man.
During court proceedings, it was noted that the numbers “1” and “0” were written on Laura’s feet, adding another layer of mystery to the crime.
Delphine Daviette expressed deep anguish over the senselessness, saying “this monster, this monster,” questioning why her daughter came into contact with Benkired. Defense attorneys suggested that Benkired sought revenge for the Daviette family’s refusal to hand over keys to a Parisian apartment where she had sometimes stayed.
Before his passing, Laura’s father had penned a heartfelt letter to Benkired’s apartment, struggling to comprehend the cruelty inflicted on his daughter.
Benkired later asked her family for forgiveness, acknowledging the gravity of her actions.
Just months prior to the tragic event, Benkired had been ordered to leave France, and the disturbing circumstances surrounding Laura’s murder triggered large-scale protests. Many critics demanded stricter immigration policies. “Laura lost her life because you did not expel this citizen,” remarked Republican lawmaker Eric Poger to the justice minister.
In response to the sentencing outcome, Laura’s family expressed a desire for a life sentence and were relieved by the court’s decision. The judge acknowledged the extensive psychological damage inflicted on Laura and her family due to the unprecedented brutality of the case.
