Murdered Asian Teen 'Unlawfully Killed'

Although convinced "she was murdered", a coroner has now returned a verdict of unlawful killing at the inquest into the death of asian teenager Shafilea Ahmed.

The East and South Cumbria Coroner Ian Smith told the inquest: "She was murdered. I'm convinced of that because of the way in which the body was disposed, it had been hidden and she had been taken many miles away from home."

The student went missing from her home in Warrington, Cheshire, in September 2003, and her badly decomposed body was found by workmen on the banks of the River Kent five months later.

She disappeared four months after a family trip to Pakistan during which the Westernised teenager drank bleach after being introduced to an arranged marriage suitor, prompting speculation she wanted to avoid the traditional wedding.

Also, lyrics written by the teenager, which were released by police, referred to a clash of cultures and her family's preoccupation with "honour".

Later, school friends, teachers and council workers claimed in evidence that she confided in them that she was beaten and had money stolen from her account by her parents.

Shafilea also told them she believed her parents planned to take her to Pakistan again and force her into an arranged marriage.

However, Iftikhar and Farzana Ahmed have denied there is any truth in the allegations made by their daughter.

However, two months before the discovery of her body, Cheshire Police arrested Mr and Mrs Ahmed on suspicion of kidnap, but they were later released and no one has ever been charged over Shafilea's death.

Pathologist Dr Alison Armour told the inquest she believes the teenager died in suspicious circumstances and has ruled out death by any natural causes.

She said the probable cause of death was either by smothering or strangulation.

See: Asian Teenager's Inquest Begins

(BMcC)













(BMcC)