Shafilea Ahmed was murdered by her parents for refusing an arranged marriage and being too Westernized.
Two post-mortem exams could not determine the cause of death. In 2008, an inquest ruled it as unlawful killing. Crucial information was revealed through her sister’s arrest for burglary in 2010.
Iftikhar and Farzana, Shafilea’s parents, were jailed and convicted of her murder in 2012. Shafilea’s parents murdered her because she refused an arranged marriage in Pakistan, and they thought she was too Westernized.
Shafilea lived with her parents, sister, and brother. A police officer saw her as a bright girl who wanted to become a lawyer. Police noticed the parents’ lack of emotion and seeming unconcern about her disappearance.
The family became stricter when she mixed with boys. Shafilea told friends about her parents’ abuse and how they controlled her life, locking her in her room as punishment.
She once drank bleach after being forced to marry. Iftikhar and Farzana denied any involvement for years but were eventually jailed for at least 25 years.
Shafilea’s sister, Alesha, was arrested for robbery in 2010. Alesha then revealed that she had witnessed her parents kill Shafilea seven years prior.
During the trial, she testified that her parents killed Shafilea by pushing her on a settee. According to Alesha, her mom then said, “Just finish it here,” after which they forced a plastic bag into her mouth, killing her in front of her siblings.
After the trial, a solicitor spoke about the case, stating agencies knew Shafilea was not coming back. A social worker saw gold and passports in a briefcase in their hall, suggesting the father was ready to flee.
The children seemed withdrawn and uncooperative with the police, becoming very reserved. The parents didn’t report her missing and refused to cooperate, showing no remorse or urgency. The solicitor felt they failed Shafilea.
At sentencing, the judge addressed the parents, saying that wanting her to appreciate her heritage was fine. He also added that expecting her to live separately was destructive. Alesha avoided jail, as her sentence was suspended.
The judge told Alesha her story was extraordinary. He stated her future would be overshadowed by these events and that it would take a long time for normality.