A 25-year-old French woman died in Morocco after being buried alive by a man she met online, according to authorities. Mina El Houari traveled to Fes to meet the acquaintance, and a tragic misunderstanding lead to her being presumed deceased and hastily buried in his garden. The case, currently being investigated as manslaughter, underscores the escalating risks associated with online connections and international travel to meet virtual acquaintances, with reports indicating a significant number of online users encounter harassment or deception [[1]].
A 25-year-old French woman traveling to Morocco to meet an online acquaintance died from asphyxiation after the man she was visiting buried her alive, believing she had already passed away, authorities say.
Mina El Houari arrived in Fes, Morocco, and checked into a five-star hotel before meeting the man she had connected with online. During the meeting at his home, she suddenly lost consciousness. The man told police he panicked, believing she was dead, and attempted to dispose of her body by burying her in his garden.
An investigation revealed Mina was alive but in a coma due to undiagnosed diabetes, and the cause of death was asphyxiation – slow suffocation under a layer of earth.
The search for Mina began after her family reported her missing when they stopped receiving communication from her. Relatives traveled to Morocco and alerted the police, who tracked the man’s whereabouts. A search of the property uncovered a shovel, soiled clothing, and fresh digging, ultimately leading to the discovery of her buried body.
The suspect confessed to the crime and has been charged with manslaughter. The case highlights the potential dangers of meeting individuals contacted online, particularly in unfamiliar locations.
