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Here’s What Paris Investigators Have Found So Far

3 minute read

In the aftermath of a week of terrorist attacks across Paris that left 20 people dead, including the three gunmen, French investigators are still working to piece together the whereabouts of Hayat Boumeddiene, the girlfriend of one of the assailants and the only suspected co-conspirator thought to still be alive.

Although police now reportedly believe Boumeddiene was likely in Turkey at the time of the attacks, authorities are still searching for her in connection to the killings last week at satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo and then at a kosher grocery store. Boumeddiene’s boyfriend, Amedy Coulibaly, was killed Friday when police stormed the Paris grocery store where he was holding at least 15 people hostage.

An unnamed source in the Turkish security forces told AFP that Boumeddiene arrived in Turkey on Jan. 2, five days before the deadly attack on Charlie Hebdo and a week before Coulibaly took hostages in the grocery store. Coulibaly also allegedly killed a policewoman on Thursday and killed four civilians in the grocery store on Friday.

Hundreds of Thousands March for Victims in France

People take part in a silent procession for victims of the shooting at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, Jan. 10, 2015, in Nice, southeastern France.
People take part in a silent procession for victims of the shooting at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, Jan. 10, 2015, in Nice, southeastern France. Lionel Cironneau—AP
A man holds a French flag during a silent walk for victims of the shooting at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, Jan. 10, 2015, in Nice.
A man holds a French flag during a silent walk for victims of the shooting at the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, Jan. 10, 2015, in Nice.Lionel Cironneau—AP
Tens of thousands of people some holding up signs that read, "Je suis Charlie" march during a rally along the sea front in the Mediterranean city of Nice, on January 10, 2015.
Tens of thousands of people some holding up signs that read, "Je suis Charlie" march in Nice, on Jan. 10, 2015.Valery Hache—AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators hold signs that reads "Je suis Charlie" during a rally in Nantes on Jan. 10, 2015,.
Demonstrators hold signs that reads "Je suis Charlie" during a rally in Nantes on Jan. 10, 2015,.Jean-Sebastien Evrard—AFP/Getty Images
A man hold a rose and pencil during a rally at the Memorial Square in Caen on Jan. 10, 2015.
A man hold a rose and pencil during a rally at the Memorial Square in Caen on Jan. 10, 2015.Charly Truballeeau—AFP/Getty Images
Thousands peoples walks during a tribute to the victims of the attack on the Paris headquarters of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, in Toulouse, Jan. 10, 2014.
Thousands peoples walks during a tribute to the victims of the attack on the Paris headquarters of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, in Toulouse, Jan. 10, 2014. Guillaume Horcahuel—EPA
Children lay flowers outside the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket near Porte de Vincennes in eastern Paris
Children lay flowers outside the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket near Porte de Vincennes in eastern Paris, Jan. 10, 2015.Yves Herman—Reuters
Messages left by people visiting a makeshift memorial are pasted to a wall near the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, Jan. 10, 2015.
Messages left by people visiting a makeshift memorial are pasted to a wall near the offices of French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris, Jan. 10, 2015. David Azia—AP

Although details are still emerging, the Guardian reports that Boumeddiene may have crossed into Syria on Jan. 8 and did not use her return ticket booked for Jan. 9.

One of seven children, Boumeddiene was placed in foster care at a young age after her father was unable to care for the children after her mother died. She “married” Coulibaly in an unofficial ceremony, which is not recognized by French law, in 2009. Boumeddiene was reportedly a devout Muslim and is said to have lost her job at a supermarket because she insisted on wearing full religious attire.

Coulibaly is thought to be a co-conspirator of Chérif and Saïd Kouachi, the brothers who killed 10 journalists and 2 police officers when they broke into the offices of Charlie Hebdo and opened fire on Jan. 7. It appears that the brothers were part of the same Islamist network, and Coulibaly and Chérif reportedly met in prison. Coulibaly’s attack on the grocery store coincided with the Kouachi brothers’ attack on a printing plant north of the city. Paris prosecutor François Molins said there had been regular telephone contact (over 500 calls a year) between Boumeddiene and Izzana Hamyd, Chérif’s wife.

CNN reports that their affiliate BFMTV spoke to Coulibaly during the hostage situation and that he said he belonged to ISIS and had coordinated his attack on the kosher market with the Kouachi brothers’ attack on the printing plant. Al-Qaeda’s branch in Yemen said it directed Wednesday’s attack at Charlie Hebdo.

Large Crowds Rally Against Terrorism in Paris After Attacks

Thousands of people gather at Republique square in Paris, Jan. 11, 2015.
Thousands of people gather at Place de la République in Paris, Jan. 11, 2015. Peter Dejong—AP
French President Francois Hollande is surrounded by head of states including Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Council President Donald Tusk and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as they attend the solidarity march in the streets of Paris Jan. 11, 2015.
French President Francois Hollande is surrounded by head of states including Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mali's President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, European Council President Donald Tusk and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as they attend the solidarity march in the streets of Paris Jan. 11, 2015. Philippe Wojazer—Reuters
Demonstrators make their way along Boulevrd Voltaire in a unity rally in Paris following the recent terrorist attacks on Jan. 11, 2015 in Paris.
Demonstrators make their way along Boulevrd Voltaire in a unity rally in Paris following the recent terrorist attacks on Jan. 11, 2015 in Paris.Christopher Furlong—Getty Images
which has become a symbol for the cartoonists and editors killed at Charlie Hebdo
A man holds a pencil, which has become a symbol for the cartoonists and editors killed at Charlie Hebdo, as he takes part in a solidarity march in the streets of Paris, Jan. 11, 2015. Eric Gaillard—Reuters
Families and relatives walk and hold banners reading 'Charlie' during a march to honor victims of the terrorist attacks and show unity, in Paris, Jan.11, 2015.
Families and relatives walk and hold banners reading 'Charlie' during a march to honor victims of the terrorist attacks and show unity, in Paris, Jan.11, 2015. Julien WarnandJ—EPA
Demonstrators make their way along Place de la République during a mass unity rally following the recent terrorist attacks on Jan. 11, 2015 in Paris.
Demonstrators make their way along Place de la République during a mass unity rally following the recent terrorist attacks on Jan. 11, 2015 in Paris.Dan Kitwood—Getty Images
A man holds a giant pencil, which has become a symbol for the cartoonists and editors killed at Charlie Hebdoas as he takes part in the solidarity march in the streets of Paris, Jan. 11, 2015.
A man holds a giant pencil, which has become a symbol for the cartoonists and editors killed at Charlie Hebdo, as as he takes part in the solidarity march in the streets of Paris, Jan. 11, 2015. Stephane Mahe—Reuters
People gather at the Place de la Nation in Paris, Jan. 11, 2015.
People gather at the Place de la Nation in Paris, Jan. 11, 2015. Yoan Valat—EPA
A balloon reading "Je suis Charlie" (I am Charlie) is held at Place de la Bastille during the solidarity march on Jan. 11, 2015 in Paris.
A balloon reading "Je suis Charlie" (I am Charlie) is held at Place de la Bastille during the solidarity march on Jan. 11, 2015 in Paris.Joel Saget—AFP/Getty Images
A general view shows hundreds of thousands of French citizens taking part in a solidarity march in the streets of Paris, Jan. 11, 2015.
A general view shows hundreds of thousands of French citizens taking part in a solidarity march in the streets of Paris, Jan. 11, 2015. Eric Gaillard—Reuters

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Write to Charlotte Alter at charlotte.alter@time.com