Man Admits Stabbing Ex-Wife and Burying Her in Garden with Aunt's Help
Alireza Askari, a 42-year-old man, has admitted to stabbing his ex-wife to death before burying her body in the back garden of their former shared home in Cardiff, with assistance from his aunt. The horrific crime unfolded in April last year, revealing a calculated and brutal act of violence.
Details of the Murder and Burial
Askari pleaded guilty to murdering Paria Veisi, 37, at the property they had previously shared in Penylan, Cardiff. The court heard that Ms Veisi had recently separated from her husband and moved out of the house earlier in April. Her body was discovered buried in a "makeshift grave" concealed by a flower bed in the garden, following a police search.
William Hughes KC, prosecuting, stated that Askari murdered his ex-wife in the conservatory of the address around 4:30 pm on April 12, 2025. After the killing, he disposed of her body with the help of his aunt, Maryam Delavary, 48, from west London. The prosecution detailed that Askari had purchased a set of kitchen knives from a supermarket on the day of the murder, suspected to be the weapon used.
Cover-Up Attempt and Arrest
Later that afternoon, Askari contacted Delavary, who traveled from London to Cardiff by taxi. Together, they made another trip to the supermarket to buy bleach, compost, and plants, which the prosecution alleges were used to cover up the crime. Askari was arrested on April 15 while driving back to Cardiff from Birmingham, with canisters containing caustic soda found in his vehicle. These chemicals, according to the prosecution, were intended for the destruction of Ms Veisi's remains.
A friend of Ms Veisi had contacted South Wales Police the day after the murder, expressing concerns that she was "being kept against her will by her ex-husband," prompting a missing person investigation. During the search of the property, Ms Veisi's body was found beneath patio slabs, soil, and newly-planted flowers in the rear garden. She had suffered four stab wounds to her chest and neck.
Background and Sentencing
Askari and Ms Veisi moved to the UK from Iran in 2010 and had married, but were separated at the time of the murder. Analysis of Askari's phone revealed he had been texting a woman in Iran, believed to be his girlfriend, prior to the killing. In one message, he stated, "I'm planning for them to kill her in Iran."
Hiria Veisi, Ms Veisi's sister, told the 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. 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."
Askari previously pleaded guilty to murder and preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body at Cardiff Crown Court. A further charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was ordered to lie on file. Maryam Delavary pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. Both defendants are expected to be sentenced by Mrs Justice Stacey on Friday.
