Husband Admits Stabbing Ex-Wife to Death and Burying Her in Garden Grave
A husband has admitted to stabbing his estranged ex-wife to death before burying her body in a makeshift grave in his back garden, Cardiff Crown Court heard today. Alireza Askari, 42, pleaded guilty to murdering Paria Veisi, 37, at their former shared home in Penylan, Cardiff, in April last year.
Glamorous Hairdresser Lured to Her Death
Ms Veisi, a glamorous hairdressing company director, had recently separated from Askari and moved out earlier that month. Prosecutor William Hughes KC told the court that Askari lured her back to their former home, specifically into the hair salon located in their conservatory, where he killed her.
Police later discovered her body buried under a flower bed and patio in the back garden. The prosecution stated that Askari's aunt, Maryam Delavary, 48, assisted in covering up the crime by helping to bury the body.
Chilling Details of the Cover-Up
When Askari was arrested, police found highly corrosive chemicals in his possession. Mr Hughes asserted that these chemicals 'were to be used in the destruction of Paria's remains.' The couple, who had moved to the UK from Iran in 2010 and married, had split up by April last year.
Prior to the murder, police uncovered text messages from Askari to another woman in Iran, believed to be his girlfriend. In one chilling message, he wrote: 'I'm planning for them to kill her in Iran.'
The Day of the Murder
On April 12, 2025, Askari went out to purchase a set of kitchen knives from a supermarket, which are suspected to be the murder weapons. Mr Hughes detailed: 'It is the prosecution's case that the first defendant, Alireza Askari, murdered Paria Veisi at around 4.30pm on April 12 in the conservatory of his home address.'
After the brutal stabbing, Askari drove to a David Lloyd leisure centre to shower. He then called his aunt Delavary, who traveled from London to Cardiff by taxi. Following their call, Askari made another trip to Sainsbury's and B&Q, where he bought bleach, compost, and plants.
Mr Hughes stated: 'The prosecution's case is that, on arrival, Maryam Delavary was to assist in the covering up of Paria's murder.'
Discovery of the Body
A concerned friend contacted South Wales Police the day after the murder, reporting that Ms Veisi was 'being kept against her will by her ex-husband.' She was last seen alive leaving her workplace in her £40,000 Mercedes.
A missing person investigation was launched, leading to Askari's arrest three days later on April 15. He was apprehended while driving back to Cardiff from Birmingham with canisters containing highly corrosive caustic soda.
Police searched his property and discovered Ms Veisi's body on April 18. She was buried beneath patio slabs, soil, and newly planted flowers in the garden, where a pond used to be. She had been stabbed four times in the chest and neck.
Mr Hughes added: 'Paria’s naked body was discovered by police officers buried in the garden... Her body had been covered in new soil and plants. There were ongoing plans to remove the body and destroy it chemically.'
Family's Heartbreaking Testimony
A witness reported hearing a scream from the couple's home at the time of the murder, which they 'likened to a sound from a horror film.' Hiria Veisi, Ms Veisi's sister, delivered an emotional statement in court: 'This horrific and sudden loss of Paria has shattered our family. It hurts us so deeply as a family to know that (her) future was taken from (her) in an instant.'
She continued: 'What happened to Paria must never be allowed to happen to anyone else. This pain will remain with us for the rest of our lives.'
Legal Proceedings
Askari, of Penylan, Cardiff, has pleaded guilty to murder and preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body. A further charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was ordered to lie on file.
Maryam Delavary, 48, of Australia Road, White City Estate, west London, has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. Mrs Justice Stacey is expected to sentence both defendants on Friday.
