After a 12-year search, remains believed to be Rania Alayed have been found, bringing closure to her family after her tragic murder.
Rania’s uncle spoke in court in 2014, saying hiding her body doubled their pain. He wanted the search to continue out of respect for her children. He called her killer a disgrace, wishing he would “go to hell.” Police wanted to find her body so she could rest.
A new search started recently near Thirsk by the A19. Police found body parts there, and they think they belong to Rania. She was only 25 when she died. She knew leaving her husband could mean death, as he threatened to kill her.
Rania feared for her life before her death. Despite abuse, she wanted to fight. She left her husband in January 2013, after which he emailed her a threatening message. Rania had married in Syria at age 16, where they were Palestinian refugees living there. The family moved to England in 2005, hoping for a better life.
Her husband became jealous and possessive. He accused her of cheating constantly and attacked her for minor things. He didn’t like her meals and got angry when she used social media. He thought she was becoming too Westernized. He plotted with his brothers to kill her, wanting to make it seem she was alive.
Rania told her sister-in-law she would be killed. On June 7, 2013, her husband’s brother acted, making his partner leave their apartment. A neighbor heard Rania scream before she died. Rania left behind three young children.
Her husband tried to look like her after the murder. CCTV spotted him wearing her hijab and clothes. Her body was likely put in a suitcase and driven to the Thirsk area. Rania had moved out before she died, starting a new life in Cheetham Hill.
Her husband admitted to killing Rania, claiming insanity from a demon. The jury rejected his story. He got a life sentence in 2014 and had to serve at least 20 years. His brother received a shorter sentence. Both brothers admitted to hiding the body, and another brother was jailed for helping.
Police thought she was buried near the A19. A big search in 2013-2014 found nothing. Police contacted many drivers from that area. Her husband said he left her body by trees near the A19. Some think the body was moved again.
Rania’s son spoke for the family, saying the discovery felt surreal. Providing her final resting place is what they wanted. Laying flowers for her means so much to them. Police hope to reunite Rania with family, wanting her to have a proper resting place.