The Slatest

Paris Suspect Who Died in Raid Was Angry Cops Assumed She Was Alleged Attack Planner’s Girlfriend

Saint-Denis raid
French law enforcement personnel near the site of Wednesday’s raid in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris.

Photo by Marc Piasecki/Getty Images

Update, Nov. 20, 2015: Per multiple reports, French authorities now believe that Aitboulahcen did not in fact blow herself up during Wednesday’s raid but was actually standing next to someone else who detonated explosives.

Original post, Nov. 19, 2015: Here is a very surreal detail from an AP story about the French police raid in which Abdelhamid Abaaoud, who allegedly planned Friday’s Paris terror attacks, died:

Three police officials have told the Associated Press that a woman who died in the police raid was Abaaoud’s cousin. One said the woman, Hasna Aitboulahcen, is believed to have detonated a suicide vest Wednesday in the building after a brief conversation with police officers.

The official confirmed an audio recording, punctuated by gunshots, in which an officer asks: “Where is your boyfriend?” and she responds angrily: “He’s not my boyfriend!” Then loud bangs are heard.

Very frustrating! You do just as much work—probably more—than the men in your murderous, apocalyptic terror cell, and then the police who have arrived to take vengeance upon you for your brutal crimes just go and assume you’re there because you have a crush on Abdelhamid Abaaoud. Typical.

Read more of Slate’s coverage of the Paris attacks.