Humaira Asghar’s death: Pakistan police reveal initial findings

Dubai: The death of Pakistani model and actress Humaira Asghar Ali, whose severely decomposed body was discovered in her Defence Housing Authority (DHA) apartment on July 8, remains shrouded in mystery.

But initial findings by Karachi police suggest no evidence of foul play or suicide, pointing instead to a likely natural or accidental cause.

In a report submitted to a local court in Karachi on Wednesday, the South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Syed Asad Raza stated that “evidence so far suggests no signs of foul play or suicide.”

The court had sought clarity after a petition was filed Shahzaib Sohail, seeking the registration of a murder FIR.

Key findings

DIG Raza’s report noted that the door to the apartment was double-locked from inside, with all keys found within, and no signs of forced entry, physical assault, or use of a weapon were observed. The body was discovered after a court-appointed bailiff visited the flat to execute an eviction order for unpaid rent.

“The condition of the apartment and absence of surveillance footage point to her having died alone, likely in October, 2024,” the report added.

This timeline is supported by forensic analysis of Humaira’s mobile phones, which show her last communications occurred on that date, including 14 unanswered calls and messages, one to a prominent drama director.

Court seeks answers

In court, police admitted that “no fruitful result has been obtained so far” in determining whether criminal liability exists. The judge directed police to submit the complete post-mortem report at the next hearing and continue daily updates to the SSP’s office.

Delay in body discovery

The case took a grim turn due to the delay in discovering her body. According to the initial autopsy report by police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed, the body was in an “advanced stage of decomposition” and likely over eight months old, making the precise cause of death impossible to determine at this stage.

Chemical, toxicological, and DNA analyses are still pending and expected to offer further clarity in coming weeks, according to Dawn.com.

Prolonged silence

A disturbing element of the case is the prolonged silence that followed Humaira’s death. Neighbours had reported a foul smell as far back as December 2024, but the open windows and balcony door may have allowed the odour to disperse, delaying concern. Building staff and the landlord assumed she was out of town, especially since she had a history of long absences.

Police sources confirmed that three mobile phones, a tablet, a diary, and other personal effects were retrieved from the apartment. They also revealed that among those Humaira tried to contact before her death was a well-known director currently based in Islamabad. His statement is expected to be recorded soon.

Fame and isolation

Humaira, 32, was once a rising name in Pakistan’s TV, film and modelling landscape. A graduate of Punjab University’s Fine Arts Department, she had acted in several PTV dramas and was associated with socially conscious theatre groups. In recent years, however, she transitioned into a social media influencer, amassing thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram.

Despite her digital popularity, Humaira had reportedly become reclusive. She had lived alone in the DHA apartment for seven years, and her prolonged absence apparently failed to raise alarms among neighbours or family.

What’s next

With the cause of death still unconfirmed, investigators say they are examining her financial records, digital communications, and social network for further leads. The apartment has been sealed for forensic analysis.