Mohammed Shahbar, a retired aged 62 living in Dijon, was indicted by the “ Cold cases » of Nanterre for the murders of Nathalie Boyer in 1988 and Laïla Afif in 2000.
The arrest of the suspect is based on DNA evidence found on objects associated with Laïla Afif, a mother whose body was discovered in a canal at La Verpillière in Isère. A witness had also reported a white Citroën BX, belonging to Mohammed Chahbar, near the crime scene. Investigators also established a connection between the suspect and Laïla Afif, via family links confirmed by relatives of the victim.
As for Nathalie Boyer, aged 15 at the time of the incidentshe was found dead in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier in 1988. Contemporary testimonies report suspicious behavior by Mohammed Chahbar. Neighbors had seen him prowling near his home, located not far from that of the Boyer family. The teenager was allegedly approached in a bus shelter, a detail which could indicate a common modus operandi for the two murders.
Potential links with another disappearance
Arrested in Dijon, Mohammed Chahbar was placed in police custody for 96 hour interrogation before his indictment. He categorically disputes the factsaccording to his lawyers, who denounce the pressure exerted by these accusations on such old cases.
The investigations do not stop there, residents of Bourgoin-Jallieu have reported a connection between Chahbar and the father of Charazed Bendouiou, a little girl who disappeared in 1987. If these elements remain to be explored in more depth, they add a new dimension to this complex file .
According to information fromNews17Mohammed Chahbar, presumed innocent, is now in pre-trial detention. This case revives the hopes of the victims' families that justice will finally be served and illustrates the scientific and judicial progress that makes it possible to reopen investigations, even several decades later.
Also read: Murder of Lilian Dejean: the suspect imprisoned
Related News :