A convicted sex offender has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering two women and concealing their bodies in a freezer at his east London flat. Zahid Younis, 40, was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court of killing Henriett Szucs, 32, and Mihrican Mustafa, 38, whose remains were discovered in April 2019.
The court heard that Younis preyed on vulnerable women, subjecting them to 'very significant violence'. Both victims had suffered multiple rib fractures, with Ms Szucs sustaining severe head injuries and Ms Mustafa fractures to her sternum and larynx. The cause of death could not be determined due to the condition of the bodies.
Police made the grim discovery while checking on Younis's welfare at his flat in Canning Town. Officers noticed a lockable freezer around which flies were gathering. Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding said one officer acted on 'an old-fashioned police hunch' and forced it open, finding what initially appeared to be one body. X-rays later revealed a second body underneath.
Ms Szucs, originally from Hungary, was last seen alive in 2016 and was killed shortly before Younis bought the freezer in November that year. Ms Mustafa was last heard from in May 2018. Both women were described as vulnerable, experiencing homelessness and drug addiction. Younis had a history of assaulting partners and had previous convictions.
Younis denied murder but admitted preventing the lawful burial of the bodies, claiming he was not present when Ms Szucs died and panicked. He alleged an accomplice helped him dispose of the bodies and later blackmailed him. The jury deliberated for over 16 hours before returning majority verdicts. Younis showed no emotion as he was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 38 years.
