Husband Receives 26-Year Sentence for Garden Burial Murder
Alireza Askari has been jailed for 26 years after he stabbed his estranged wife to death and buried her body in his back garden in Cardiff. The 42-year-old murdered Paria Veisi, 37, just days after she ended their relationship, with the court hearing he acted out of rage over her departure.
Grim Discovery in Cardiff Garden
The body of Ms Veisi was discovered in a makeshift grave in the garden of the Foster Drive property in Penylan, Cardiff, after concerned loved ones reported her missing. She had been fatally stabbed in the neck and upper chest, with no defensive injuries found, suggesting the attack took her completely by surprise.
Prosecutor William Hughes KC detailed how Ms Veisi had moved out of the shared home less than two weeks before the murder, having started renting a separate property and working as a hairdresser. The attack occurred on April 12, around 4.30pm, after she visited the house following a phone call with Askari.
Aunt's Role in Cover-Up
Askari's aunt, Maryam Delavary, 48, of White City in London, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. In the days after the murder, which took place in the conservatory of the Foster Drive house, Delavary helped her nephew bleach the property and dig a hole in the garden for the body.
The pair buried Ms Veisi in an area that had previously been a pond, concealing her with soil, newly planted flowers purchased from B&Q, and concrete patio slabs. A witness in a car near the house at the time of the murder reported hearing a scream likened to a horror film.
Elaborate Deception Attempts
Minutes after the attack, Askari called Delavary, who immediately booked a cab from London to Cardiff to assist in covering up the crime. At 8.13pm that night, Askari pretended to be Ms Veisi, sending a message from her phone to her boss at the salon stating she would be returning to Iran for a month or two due to a medical issue.
He also moved her car away from her home to further obscure the timeline. Askari initially pleaded guilty only to manslaughter and preventing a lawful burial, but later admitted to murder during the proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court.
Judge Questions Motive and Aunt's Testimony
Askari's lawyer, Adam Sharp, argued his client had no clear rationale or motive, citing mental illness as a contributory factor. However, Judge Mrs Justice Stacey challenged this, stating, "His wife had moved into a flat less than two weeks earlier and you don't think that is the rationale? I would have thought it self-evident... He would clearly rather kill her than her leave him."
The judge also scrutinised comments from Delavary's barrister, Thomas Crowther KC, who claimed she had suffered 20 years of domestic abuse in Iran before escaping and then found herself "in the service" of her "domineering" nephew, who allegedly threatened her with, "If you tell anyone, you will be sleeping next to her."
Mrs Justice Stacey noted that Delavary had repeatedly lied and appeared "stronger and more powerful" than Askari in police bodycam footage, particularly when she instructed him in Farsi to "shut up" during police questioning.
Sentencing and Aftermath
Askari was sentenced to 26 years in prison, while Delavary awaits sentencing for her role in perverting the course of justice. The case highlights the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the lengths to which individuals may go to conceal their crimes.
The discovery of Ms Veisi's body four days after she was last seen leaving work underscores the importance of swift reporting and investigation in missing persons cases. This sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the justice system's role in addressing such heinous acts.
