The man convicted of murdering police officer Sharon Beshenivsky nearly two decades ago has died in prison from lung cancer, an inquest has heard.
Piran Ditta Khan, the mastermind behind the fatal armed robbery in Bradford, passed away behind bars less than a year after he was finally brought to justice. He had spent almost twenty years evading capture for the 2005 killing.
The Fatal Robbery and a Decades-Long Manhunt
PC Sharon Beshenivsky was shot dead on November 18, 2005, while responding to a report of a robbery at a travel agency in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Piran Ditta Khan was identified as the organiser of the botched raid but fled the UK shortly after the tragedy.
His escape launched an international manhunt, with Khan remaining a fugitive for close to two decades. He was eventually tracked down and arrested in Pakistan in 2020 before being extradited to the United Kingdom to face trial.
Conviction and Swift Death in Custody
Earlier this year, Khan was found guilty of the murder of PC Beshenivsky and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 40 years. The conviction brought a long-awaited sense of closure to the officer's family, colleagues, and the wider community.
However, the inquest has now revealed that Khan died from lung cancer while in custody, less than twelve months after his conviction. The hearing confirmed the cause of death was natural, stemming from the terminal illness.
Legacy of a Police Tragedy
The murder of PC Sharon Beshenivsky, a mother of three and a probationer officer with just nine months of service, sent shockwaves across the nation. Her death highlighted the immense risks police officers face daily.
While the conclusion of the inquest closes the final chapter on Piran Ditta Khan's life, the profound loss suffered by PC Beshenivsky's family, friends, and the police force remains. Her legacy continues to be honoured in memorials and within the force she served.
