Bio

Hicham Raoui was born in 1976 in the Aïn Darbane region of Settat province, Morocco. He was the youngest of three children in a family that faced many challenges. His father abandoned the family before Hicham was born, leaving his mother to care for him and his siblings without any support. Because of this, Hicham did not receive a lot of affection from his father.

After his father left, Hicham's mother moved in with her father, who worked as a caretaker at a primary school. They lived in a modest situation, struggling to get by. When Hicham turned seven, he was enrolled in a local school called Tawhid. However, he could not progress beyond the fifth grade. Due to a lack of money for school supplies and clothing, Hicham had to leave school.

To help support his family, Hicham began working. His first job was with a bicycle and moped repairman, but he did not enjoy it. He then worked as a mechanic and later as a sheet metal worker. Although he learned some skills during this time, he eventually left this job at the age of twenty. He decided to become a street vendor to earn a living.

For several years, Hicham sold goods on the streets. In 2003, he left Settat in search of better opportunities. He first traveled to a village near Agadir, where he worked in agriculture for a short time. Then, he moved to Marrakech, where he worked in an olive oil mill. After a few months, he returned to Settat and resumed his work as a street vendor.

Those who knew Hicham described him as a quiet and somewhat withdrawn person. He did not smoke or use drugs. However, at the age of twenty-nine, he started drinking alcohol. It was reported that a few beers made him feel more confident around women.

In early 2007, Hicham became involved in a troubling incident. He was convicted of raping a nursing student and served a one-year prison sentence. He was released in early February 2008. Shortly after his release, a series of events would change his life dramatically.

Murder Story

In Settat, Morocco, between February 2007 and January 2008, Hicham Raoui carried out a series of murders. Three young women were targeted during that time. The first victim was Fatima Zahra Hajjaj, a 20-year-old employee. Her body was discovered on February 11, 2007, near the slaughterhouse district. She had gone missing after leaving her home on February 2, 2007, to buy a phone charger. An autopsy revealed she had been raped and died from mechanical asphyxiation.

The second victim, Nezha Mansar, was 22 years old and was found on February 13, 2008. She also lived in the same neighborhood as Fatima Zahra. Nezha had graduated with a degree in business and had left home to check the mail. Unbeknownst to her family, she was lured to a different location, where she met a similar fate as Fatima Zahra.

The third victim was Nawal Taâlabi, also 22 years old and a student. Her body was discovered in early March 2008, near Oued Ben Moussa. Nawal was last seen leaving her house on March 9, 2008. Her family searched for her, and her father eventually found her body hidden in a pit.

All three women were murdered in a similar manner. Hicham Raoui was arrested on March 17, 2008. During interrogation, he confessed to the murders. He explained how he had approached each woman and that they willingly accompanied him to secluded locations. Raoui was sentenced to death for his crimes.