The trial opened in Évry on Monday into the killing of Armale Aïvohozin, a 44-year-old Beninese mother of three whose body was found inside a freezer in Grigny in 2023. Her companion, a local butcher, stands accused of firing the fatal shots, though he claims the shooting was accidental.
From disappearance to brutal discovery
In July 2023, Armale Aïvohozin vanished without warning from the Grande Borne neighborhood in Grigny. Her eldest son, then 27, grew increasingly alarmed after repeated failed attempts to reach her. His concerns led him to file a missing person report, triggering a search that ended in horror when police found her corpse concealed inside a freezer at the suspect’s apartment above his butcher shop.
The autopsy confirmed two gunshot wounds—one to the chest, the other to the head—establishing the case as a suspected femicide rather than a sudden accident.
Key moments in court
The trial reached a pivotal moment during the testimony of Aïvohozin’s son. He recounted the final hours spent with his mother and described the growing panic that drove him to alert authorities. His account painted a picture of frantic efforts to locate her, including a face-to-face conversation with the suspect, who claimed she had left with a driver.
Prosecutors have also charged a second man with obstructing justice, accusing him of helping conceal the body and tamper with crime scene evidence. His role in the aftermath adds another layer of complexity to a case already defined by its brutality.
Defendant’s claim: accident over intention
The accused, who admitted pulling the trigger, insists the shooting was unintentional. According to court documents, he allegedly exhibited extreme possessiveness and threatened self-harm if his partner attempted to leave him. These behaviors now form part of the evidentiary record as the jury weighs intent versus accident.
Justice delayed, but not denied
Three years after Aïvohozin’s death, her family awaits closure. They hope the trial will uncover the truth about her final hours and secure accountability for a murder that shocked the community. Verdicts are expected before the week concludes.
Broader implications in the fight against domestic violence
Beyond the specifics of this case, the tragedy underscores the persistent danger of intimate partner violence. Advocates point to the grim details—body concealed in a freezer—as proof that femicide often follows a pattern of coercion, secrecy, and escalating abuse, requiring urgent systemic responses.
