Fugitive Suspect in 2012 French Drowning Case Sentenced to 5 Years

The body of the 20-year-old woman was found in a car on August 27, 2012, in the Marne, near Château-Thierry. The autopsy reveals that Aurélie died by drowning, but the coroner’s report also mentions the presence of bruises on the abdomen, broken teeth and several fractures. Omar Kadiri, who was driving the car, was the last person to have seen the Castelthéodoricienne alive. He will be arrested and then indicted. During the hearings, he gives several versions of the facts. Placed in pre-trial detention, he will be released under judicial supervision.

In 2017, Omar is found guilty of other offenses. He is incarcerated again. Taking advantage of a day release, he escapes. On October 22, the police find him. The man returns to prison. He is now being prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter and failure to assist a person in danger.

On Thursday, the trial of the suspect opened before the Soissons criminal court. At the bar, he recounts having fled to Morocco the day after his escape, and having lived as a destitute for three years, reports Franceinfo. This situation becoming untenable for him, he decides to face justice. In early October, he contacts the French police. Upon his arrival at Orly airport at the end of the month, he is handcuffed and placed in pre-trial detention.

During this appearance, he maintains his version of the facts. He explains having made a skid using the handbrake but the car slipped into the Marne. The accused claims to have done this maneuver just to "make Aurélie laugh." "I tried to rescue her, he defends himself, I dived. I tried to get her out, but I didn’t succeed. [...] She died because of me. I deserve to be punished for what I did."

Aurélie’s parents do not believe this story. "These are nonsense," her father erupts. Her mother continues: "I will never forgive you." The prosecutor requested 6 years without sentence adjustment against Omar, but the court ultimately sentenced him to 5 years in prison and a fine of 7,000 euros.