Body parts found near Thirsk likely belong to Rania Alayed, murdered in 2013. Police are supporting the family.
Greater Manchester Police are confident about this discovery. Recovering all the remains may take a few days, and the police interviewed her husband repeatedly to determine the burial location. The search involved officers from both North Yorkshire and GMP, with assistance from the military.
Previous searches focused on A168/A19 lay-bys. Detectives knew a van linked to Rania’s disappearance was parked at a lay-by near Thirsk in 2013, after her murder.
In 2023, police searched the A19 again, utilizing a digger and a cadaver dog. On February 25, a new search commenced on another A19 lay-by in Thirsk, specifically aimed at locating Rania’s body.
GMP announced on February 26 that they had located buried remains near the A19 after receiving new information. They had been searching since Monday and suspect the remains are Rania’s.
Rania’s family has been informed of this news, and officers are providing them with support. The family remains the central focus, and the area will remain closed for several days as specialist officers continue their work.
Rania’s son, Yazan, speaking for his family, described the discovery as surreal. He expressed their eleven-year desire for a final resting place where they could lay flowers for his mother.
Detective Chief Inspector Higginson commented that they had located Rania’s body and expressed his desire to provide closure to her family, acknowledging the pain they had endured. He further stated that Rania’s family was aware of the searches and had received updates on this development.
He acknowledged the horrific nature of the murder and the pain caused by not knowing her location. He hopes to reunite her with her family, facilitating a proper resting place for her.
Al-Khatib murdered Rania in his brother’s flat in Salford. He attempted to maintain the illusion that she was still alive, but the cause of death remains unknown..
Al-Khatib was jailed for life in 2014, with a minimum sentence of 20 years. Rania had endured years of abuse and was killed when she sought freedom.
Rania had left him before her death to start a new life with her children. Her husband believed she was too Westernized and admitted to killing her because he claimed illness, thinking she had a demon inside her.
Rania came to the UK to escape conflict, initially living in Middlesbrough before moving to Greater Manchester. After she left her husband in 2013, he lured her to the flat in Salford, where police believe he quickly murdered her. He and his brothers then drove her body to North Yorkshire, and Al-Khatib’s brothers received jail sentences for helping cover up the crime.