A major turning point in the investigation into the murder of Barbara, 24, found dead on December 10, 2024 in her studio in Avignon: a suspect was arrested on December 25 in Amsterdam, announced the Avignon public prosecutor, Florence Galtier.
The suspect, Fouad, born in 1990, was known to the courts for theft, violence and drug-related offenses. Arrested thanks to a European arrest warrant issued by the Avignon public prosecutor’s office, he should be extradited to France in the coming weeks to answer for his actions.
Barbara, nicknamed Erika by those close to her, was found strangled in her home located on rue de la Balance, in the north of Avignon. Her body bore signs of extreme violence: blows to the face, a dislocated finger, and she was discovered with her lower body naked. The investigation opened for “ murder with acts of torture and barbarity committed by an organized gang » is carried out by the Organized and Specialized Crime Division (DCOS).
Barbara, brutally torn from her loved ones
Originally from the region, Barbara was passionate about music, dance and foreign languages, particularly English and Russian. Her older sister, Hannelone, describes a young woman “ joyful, smiling, full of life, who loved her family enormously “. In a moving testimony broadcast by Le Figaro, Hannelone declared: “ Who has the right to take the life of such a pretty 24-year-old woman who had her whole life ahead of her? » An online fundraiser has been set up to financially support the family in the face of this tragedy.
An assassination of extreme violence
On the evening of the tragedy, Barbara allegedly consumed drugs in the company of several individuals. Investigators are working to establish the exact role of the suspect arrested in Amsterdam and to determine whether other accomplices were involved. According to initial analyses, the crime scene bore the marks of a premeditated act and extreme violence.
The Libra district, where Barbara had been living for several months, is still in shock. This crime shocked the residents, who described a young woman who was discreet but full of life.
The arrest of the suspect marks an important step, but many gray areas remain. Barbara’s family hopes that justice will shed light on this murder and that the culprits will be severely punished.
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