Tragedy in silence: Pakistani actress Humaira's decomposed body likely six months old

Dubai: Initial autopsy report of Pakistani model, television and film star Humaira Asghar Ali suggested that the actress might have died months ago.

The body of 32-year-old actress who had huge following on social media, was found in a state of severe decomposition in an apartment she had rented in Defence Phase VI Karachi.

The discovery came when a court-appointed bailiff, executing an eviction order over unpaid rent, broke open the door of the fourth-floor apartment in Ittehad Commercial Area. Police accompanied the bailiff and found Humaira's body inside, unattended and nearly unrecognisable due to advanced decomposition.

According to DIG South Asad Raza, several indicators point to a death that occurred in late 2024, Geo TV reported.

Shocking details

“The expiry dates of food and drinks in the refrigerator are from September 2024,” Raza told reporters in Karachi.

“The last outgoing and incoming activity on her phone also dates back to October 2024. Both SIMs in her phone were inactive since then. Electricity to the apartment was disconnected around the same time due to non-payment of bills.”

Raza further revealed that the last text message on Humaira’s phone was from an online ride-hailing service, and there had been no further digital communication since then. Her last WhatsApp 'last seen' was on October 7, while a message sent to her by stylist Danish Maqsood on October 20 remains unread.

Autopsy

Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed, who conducted the preliminary post-mortem, confirmed that the body was in such an advanced stage of decomposition that a conclusive cause of death could not be determined immediately.

"We have collected DNA and chemical samples. It would be premature to speculate until those tests are complete,” she said.

Foul play

DIG Raza emphasised that while foul play has not been ruled out, there are currently no immediate signs pointing to external injuries. The police are waiting for toxicology and forensic reports to provide clarity. He also confirmed that the adjacent apartment had been unoccupied, which may explain why no neighbours reported the smell or suspicious activity during those months.

A life of fame and solitude

Humaira Asghar Ali was a prominent figure in Pakistan’s social media and entertainment circles. With a strong following on TikTok and Instagram, she had carved out a niche as a glamorous influencer and occasional television actress. Yet behind the curated lifestyle, she had become increasingly isolated in recent years, according to industry sources.

She had been living alone for the past seven years in the DHA flat, rarely seen outside except for work-related events. Her sudden disappearance apparently went unnoticed for months, raising troubling questions about the loneliness and invisibility even fame cannot always guard against.

Family refuses to claim the body

In a development that has deepened public sorrow, DIG Raza revealed that Humaira’s family, based in Lahore, initially refused to accept her body.

“Her father declined to take custody,” he said.

Eventually, her brother-in-law agreed to travel to Karachi to receive the body remains.

Investigation

With the autopsy inconclusive for now, and digital records going dark in October 2024, police say their next steps include analysing her financial transactions, digital footprint, and recent associations to determine whether her death was natural, accidental, or the result of foul play.

The flat has been sealed, and a forensic sweep is underway.