A man has confessed to murdering his former wife, Paria Veisi, and burying her in the backyard of their shared residence in Penylan, Cardiff. Alireza Askari, aged 42, committed the crime with the assistance of his aunt, Maryam Delavary.
During the court proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that Ms. Veisi, aged 37, had recently separated from Askari and had moved out of the house prior to the incident. Her body was discovered by the police in a hidden “makeshift grave” within the property’s garden.
According to William Hughes KC, the prosecutor, Askari killed his ex-wife in the conservatory of their home before enlisting Delavary’s help to dispose of the body. Askari and Ms. Veisi had immigrated to the UK from Iran in 2010 and were married but had separated by the time of the murder. Investigations showed that Askari had been in contact with a woman in Iran, speculated to be his girlfriend, before the tragic event.
The prosecution alleged that Askari murdered Ms. Veisi in the conservatory on April 12 and then concealed her remains in the garden, preventing a proper burial. Later that day, Askari called Delavary, who traveled from London to Cardiff to assist in covering up the crime.
Following concerns raised by a friend of Ms. Veisi, South Wales Police initiated a missing person investigation. Askari was arrested on April 15 while returning to Cardiff, with chemical substances found in his vehicle believed to be intended for destroying the victim’s remains.
Ms. Veisi’s body was later discovered buried beneath patio slabs and soil in the garden. She had sustained multiple stab wounds to her chest and neck. Family members expressed profound grief over the loss, emphasizing the lasting impact of the tragedy on their lives.
Askari pleaded guilty to the charges of murder and improper burial, while Delavary admitted to perverting the course of justice. Both defendants are awaiting sentencing by Mrs. Justice Stacey.