INGOLSTADT, GERMANY – A woman is currently on trial for allegedly orchestrating the murder of a lookalike in an attempt to fake her own death and escape her strict Iraqi family.
The accused, Shahraban Kh-B, was originally believed to be the victim after the bloodied body of a young woman was discovered in a parked Mercedes in Ingolstadt, southern Germany, in August 2022. Despite initial identification by several family members, an autopsy later revealed that the victim was actually Khadidja O, a 23-year-old beauty blogger of Algerian descent from Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg.
The striking resemblance between the two women led to the case being referred to as the “doppelganger murder case.” It is alleged that Kh-B and her boyfriend located her doppelganger on social media and, with the help of Sheqir K, fatally stabbed her 50 times in an attempt to flee her family.
The prosecution has indicated its plan to call 190 witnesses to testify in court and has formally charged the couple with murder. This is based on extensive DNA testing and the examination of social media and phone data. Both defendants have yet to make a statement or respond to the allegations.
During the trial’s opening day, proceedings were delayed after the defense raised concerns about the fairness of the trial due to the submission of additional papers by the prosecution. The court has yet to decide whether to suspend the proceedings and is expected to rule on this matter in the following week.
The prosecution alleges that the victim had been lured by the couple under false pretenses, using the promise of a video shoot and a free beauty treatment. They then allegedly picked her up from her home, drove to a wooded area, and proceeded to fatally attack her. The victim’s face sustained significant damage from the numerous stab wounds inflicted.
Should Kh-B and Sheqir K be found guilty, they could potentially face a life sentence in prison. The trial is set to continue as the court deliberates on the handling of the additional evidence presented by the prosecution.