Alireza Askari, 42, has been sentenced to life in prison after admitting to the premeditated murder of his estranged wife, Paria Veisi, 37. He was sentenced to a minimum of 26 years in prison for the brutal killing.
The Murder of Paria Veisi
Paria Veisi was reported missing on April 12, 2025, after disappearing from Cardiff. Her body was found a week later in the garden of the house she had previously shared with Askari. The court heard that she had been buried in a makeshift grave, covered by patio slabs, soil, and newly planted flowers to conceal the crime. At the time, Askari was no longer living in the home.
Askari’s Actions After the Killing
An investigation revealed that after killing his wife, Askari changed his clothes and visited a local leisure center before stopping at a supermarket to purchase bleach and dusters. He used a jet washer to clean the crime scene and bought plants to conceal the grave where Veisi’s body was buried. To further cover his tracks, Askari sent text messages from Veisi’s phone to her family and work, claiming she was leaving the UK and would be unreachable for one to two months.
Role of Askari’s Aunt
Maryam Delavary, 48, Askari’s aunt, was also involved in the crime. She admitted to assisting Askari in disposing of Veisi’s body. Delavary was sentenced to five years and six months in prison for her role in the murder. Judge Mrs. Justice Stacey told her, “You were in it together.”
Evidence of the Murder
An examination of Veisi’s body revealed she had been stabbed four times in the neck and slashed twice. Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Askari initially denied the killing, claiming he was a “diagnosed schizophrenic” and was “hearing voices in his head.” However, the judge rejected his mental health defense, stating that Askari had planned the murder at least a month in advance.
Victim Impact Statement
During the sentencing, Veisi’s sister, Heliya Veisi, delivered an emotional victim impact statement. She described the irreversible suffering that had been inflicted on their family. Heliya recalled her last video call with Paria, remembering how beautiful her hair looked, not realizing it would be the last time she would see her sister’s face or hear her voice.
Sentencing and Judgment
Judge Mrs. Justice Stacey condemned Askari’s actions, stating that Veisi had been “taken by complete surprise” and had no chance to defend herself. Askari’s premeditated plan to murder his wife was described as cold and calculated, and his attempts to use mental illness as a defense were criticized as a “cynical” ploy.
