Three years after the shocking discovery of a Béninoise mother’s body hidden in a freezer in Grigny, the trial of her partner opened on November 2, 2026, in the Essonne Assize Court. Armale Aïvohozin, known as “Deo,” a 44-year-old mother of three, was found shot dead in July 2023, with her body concealed by the man she lived with. While he admits to firing the shots, he claims the act was accidental—a claim that the court will now scrutinize.
What really happened to Armale Aïvohozin in Grigny?
Armale Aïvohozin, a 44-year-old woman from Bénin, vanished without a trace in July 2023. Her family grew increasingly alarmed when she stopped responding to calls. Her eldest son, then 27, last saw her in the Grande Borne district of Grigny, where they lived. The next day, he found himself speaking to a man claiming to be her partner, who insisted she had left in a chauffeur-driven vehicle.
But the truth emerged days later when the police traced her disappearance. On July 22, 2023, her body was discovered inside a large freezer in the accused’s apartment, located above a butcher shop he owned. The autopsy confirmed she had been shot twice—once in the head and once in the chest.
An accused man’s controversial defense: was it an accident?
The accused has admitted to firing the fatal shots, but denies intent. His defense hinges on the claim that the gun discharged accidentally. Prosecutors, however, point to a pattern of behavior described by those close to the couple. Reports indicate he was excessively possessive and had, at multiple points, threatened self-harm if Deo tried to leave him.
This trial is not just about one man’s actions—it’s a reckoning over domestic violence and the systemic failures that allow such tragedies to unfold. The court’s examination of the accused’s history will be critical in determining whether the shooting was a tragic accident or a premeditated act of violence.
Revelations from the victim’s son: the last moments before tragedy
The trial took a deeply emotional turn during the testimony of Armale’s eldest son. In a heartbreaking account, he described the growing unease he felt when his mother failed to respond to his calls after they parted ways the evening before her disappearance. His desperate search for answers led him to the accused man’s door, where he was given an implausible explanation for her absence.
His testimony not only highlighted the family’s ordeal but also underscored the chilling cover-up that followed Deo’s death. The court is now tasked with piecing together the final hours of her life and the deliberate steps taken to conceal her body.
A second defendant and the crime’s aftermath
This case extends beyond the accused partner. A second man is also on trial, charged with concealment of a corpse and tampering with evidence. His alleged role in moving and hiding Deo’s body raises serious questions about the extent of his involvement and whether others contributed to obstructing justice.
The defense and prosecution will dissect the logistics of the concealment, examining how the body was transported and stored in the freezer. Their arguments will determine whether the second defendant acted out of complicity or coercion.
Why this trial matters: a call for justice and systemic change
Three years after Deo’s death, her family is seeking answers—not just about how she died, but why no one intervened sooner. This trial serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of domestic violence, even in cases where victims come from communities facing additional cultural and language barriers.
For advocates of victims’ rights, this case is a test of the justice system’s ability to address femicide with the urgency it demands. Will the court’s verdict reflect the gravity of the crime? Will it send a message that no form of violence against women is acceptable? As the trial continues, the nation watches, waiting for accountability and closure.
Until a final verdict is reached, the accused remains innocent in the eyes of the law.