Emotion and dignity as the crowd gathers to say goodbye to the murdered Laura
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Hundreds of people attended the funeral of the murdered 12-year-old Laura’s mother in Liler, northern France, her hometown.
“My sweet sister Laura, I hope you can hear me in heaven. Sadly you left us too soon. I say how much I love you.” I hope I was there when you needed help.We will miss you.” While shedding tears, she said:
The dead girl’s parents said the funeral would be open to everyone, but they requested privacy in the cemetery.
They asked those wishing to attend church services to honor their daughter’s memory, to ensure that the funeral was peaceful and dignified, free of political or media turmoil.
Laura’s murder shocked France and sparked fierce political controversy when right-wing and far-right critics accused Macron’s government of not doing enough to prevent illegal immigration.
An Algerian woman already subject to a deportation order has been charged with the murder. The suspect has a history of mental illness and may not be considered to be tried.
Laura’s white coffin was carried to St. Omer’s Church, followed by her parents, siblings, and a mob of anonymous friends and sympathizers.
Politicians, but no spectators
Home Secretary Gerald Darmanin, Children’s Minister Charlotte Corbell, and Local Councilor Caroline Parmentier were among those who resented the church.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Olivier Leborgne, Bishop of Arras, and was relayed by loudspeaker to those unable to find a place within the church.
“Laura died not only prematurely, but in tragic circumstances,” the bishop told the congregation.
Her corpse was found in a suitcase in the courtyard of the Paris block where she lived with her family.
President Emmanuel Macron described the crime as “heinous”.
Political divide on security
The suspect, an Algerian woman named Dahbia B., who was the subject of the deportation order, has provoked scathing criticism from the political right.
Right-wing Republican lawmaker Erik Ciotti has accused the government of “criminal … laziness” over immigration, while far-right figure Eric Zemur described Laura’s murder as “Francoside.”
The suspect overstayed his student visa and failed to comply with a notice issued in August to leave France within 30 days.
On Monday, a 24-year-old boy was charged with rape and murder, as well as torture and abuse of a minor under the age of 15.
The woman said she “sexually assaulted and otherwise assaulted[Lola]to death and hid her body in a trunk.”
An autopsy said the girl died of “cardiopulmonary failure with signs of asphyxiation and neck compression.”
The investigation is now focused on whether the suspect had a mental disorder at the time of the killing and whether she should be held criminally responsible for the murder.
https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20221025-emotion-and-dignity-as-crowds-gather-to-say-farwell-to-murdered-lola Emotion and dignity as the crowd gathers to say goodbye to the murdered Laura
