A Shocking Escape from Domestic Abuse
Lobna Yakout, a native Briton, moved to Egypt over a decade ago to work as an English teacher. In 2014, she married Karim Selim, a man from a wealthy family. Selim, an alumnus of the prestigious American University in Cairo, worked as a teacher at an international school and ran a TikTok channel, teaching American English. Life seemed perfect until their son Zayn was born.
Soon after the birth, Karim’s behavior changed dramatically. He became increasingly violent, regularly abusing Lobna. This violent outburst escalated to life-threatening situations. Eventually, in 2020, Lobna had enough and fled with her 5-year-old son. Unfortunately, at that time, Egyptian law did not criminalize domestic violence, so Lobna couldn’t press charges. All she could do was hide and sever ties with Karim.
The Tragic Kidnapping
Despite her escape, Karim tracked Lobna down and began threatening her and her family. In 2021, Karim managed to meet with their son briefly, only to abduct him. Lobna warned her son that if he were taken, he should come looking for her. But Zayn vanished, never to be seen again. 
Desperate, Lobna fled Cairo in fear of her life after Karim stalked her for months, even resorting to brandishing a knife outside her home. She managed to escape by changing her appearance and flew abroad.
A Chilling Discovery: Karim’s Dark Transformation
After settling abroad, Lobna tried to move on with her life, but the past came crashing back in May when Egyptian investigators contacted her. They informed her that Karim had been arrested for the murder of three women. Shocked, Lobna initially dismissed it, thinking it was another of Karim’s twisted tricks to find her. But when the case made headlines, the truth was far more horrifying than she imagined.
On June 30, Cairo police found the body of an unidentified woman on a highway in Suez. After a thorough investigation, it was revealed that Karim was the main suspect. He had invited the victim to his house, where he drugged her, then murdered her while she was intoxicated, disposing of her body in his car.
The Dark Reality of Karim’s Crimes
Karim’s phone records painted a gruesome picture. Not only did he have recordings of himself with the victim, but police also found videos of his sexual assaults and murders. Investigators discovered that three women had fallen victim to Karim’s sadistic acts between November 2023 and May 2024. These women were tortured, killed, and sexually assaulted in a specially designed soundproof room in his luxury Cairo apartment.
The autopsies revealed traces of sedatives in their bodies, and forensic evidence showed similar signs of violent abuse. One victim even had Karim’s fingerprints on her body. Police tracked his movements using GPS data, confirming his involvement in all three murders.
The Search for Justice and a Missing Son
After the details of Karim’s crimes went public, the media dubbed him the “New Cairo Serial Killer.” The investigation revealed at least four victims, but Karim confessed there were more. His arrest has given Lobna some relief, knowing that her abuser is finally behind bars. However, her nightmare is far from over. Her son, Zayn, remains missing, and the search for him continues.
Reports suggest Zayn was handed over to Karim’s mother after his arrest and might be living in Michigan, USA. The U.S. embassy has yet to make a public statement regarding his whereabouts, leaving Lobna’s hope of reuniting with her son uncertain.
Lobna’s Struggle for Justice
While Karim may face the consequences of his horrific actions, Lobna’s fight continues. The scars of her past haunt her as she desperately searches for her missing son. Though she escaped his abusive grasp, the trauma left behind is still very much alive.
