Mother’s Desperate Search Continues for Teen Missing Nearly a Year in Val-d’Oise

On Friday, July 3, Samira and Sasou, Wissem’s best friend, are walking around the town of Bezons. This mother is determined to find her daughter. In addition to posting the missing person notices, the two women show the teenager’s photo to passers-by, reports Le Parisien. The goal is to find out if anyone has been able to cross paths with the missing girl for almost a year. Samira hands the photo of Wissem to two children. "I’ve heard about it," says one. "But I don’t know her." "If you have older brothers, tell them to share it on social media," she tells them.

In April, Sasou chose Twitter. She creates the hashtag #whereisWissem shared more than 8,000 times. The mobilization on this social network had made it possible to find a missing child. The missing person notices with Wissem’s photo have been relayed. Calls are pouring in from all sides. Enough to revive hope. "There is a positive effect of social networks with these people who do research," says a judicial source. "But often it puts pressure on the investigators. There is also the risk of exposing a person. The investigation is secret to allow suspects to be convicted. It’s about proving, not denouncing."

While she was expected at Body minute, who had recruited her, Wissem Abdelaoui, 16, did not arrive at her destination. She has been missing since July 31, 2019. The search to find her has so far been unproductive. "My life stopped on that July 31st," Samira notes. "We don’t make plans, we just want to find her. (...) We had a good relationship, that’s why it’s not normal that she doesn’t give any news. It’s proof that she is under the control of someone. Certainly manipulated."