A man named Alireza Askari, aged 42, carried out a horrendous act by killing his wife, Paria Veisi, who was 37 years old. He stabbed her four times and then concealed her body in a makeshift grave located in a flower bed at a property they had shared in Cardiff in April 2025. The court learned that the couple had recently separated, and Paria, who had moved to the UK from Iran in 2010, had left their home to work as a hairdresser.
After the brutal murder, Askari attempted to deceive others by pretending to be his wife. He sent a message from Paria’s phone to her employer at the salon where she worked, claiming that she would be traveling to Iran for a medical reason. Furthermore, he relocated Paria’s car from her residence to give the impression that she had left the property. A friend, worried that Paria might be held against her will by her ex-husband, reported her missing.
Following the report, South Wales Police initiated an investigation to locate Paria. Askari was apprehended on April 15 while returning to Cardiff from Birmingham. During the arrest, authorities discovered containers of caustic soda in his vehicle. Prosecutors contended that the chemicals found in the car were intended to dispose of Paria’s remains. Text messages on Askari’s phone indicated communication with another woman, believed to be his girlfriend.
Paria’s body was eventually discovered concealed under patio slabs, soil, and newly planted flowers. It was revealed that she had sustained four stab wounds, with injuries on her chest and neck. The court noted that Askari seemed to prefer killing Paria rather than letting her go, especially since she had recently moved into her own flat just two weeks before her tragic death.
During the sentencing, Mrs. Justice Stacey addressed Askari, emphasizing that Paria was embarking on a new life without him when she was killed. She highlighted the optimism and joy Paria had been experiencing in her new flat, free from any fear. CCTV footage from her workplace on April 11 depicted a confident and vibrant woman looking forward to her future. Paria was described as a beloved individual with a lively personality and a bright future ahead. Askari confessed to the murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Askari’s aunt, Maryam Delavary, traveled from London to Cardiff to aid in concealing Paria’s murder. Delavary, aged 48 and residing in west London, pleaded guilty to obstructing justice and received a sentence of five years and six months in prison.