Pakistani actress Humaira Asghar Ali found in 'advanced state of decomposition,' believed to have died 'months ago'
The body of Pakistani actress Humaira Asghar Ali was discovered in an "advanced state of decomposition" in her apartment in Karachi. Authorities believe she had been deceased for nine months.
According to Karachi Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed, who conducted the initial post-mortem examination, the body showed signs of decomposition consistent with being deceased for more than a month.
The decay was "extensive," with deteriorated facial muscles, reduced fingers and nails to bone, and the complete decomposition of brain matter.
Other findings included the disintegration of bones upon touch and internal organs that had turned into a “black-colored mass."
"Viscera completely autolyzed and reduced [to an] unidentifiable blackish mass. We have collected hair and specimen from [the] abdomen for chemical analysis. For positive identification, the blood sample of the brother has been collected," the police surgeon told Arab News.
Further forensic investigation has revealed that the actress may have died as early as October 2024, roughly nine months before her body was found in her apartment at Defence Housing Authority Phase VI in Pakistan.
The cause of Ali's death is still unclear.
Authorities have started an investigation to figure out exactly how the actress died and why her death went unnoticed for so long in a residential area. These include DNA profiling and toxicology tests to provide more insight about what happened.
These details emerged after police found Ali's body when they forced their way into her apartment for a court-ordered eviction. Her landlord had complained after not getting any response, and officers found her lifeless on the floor.
Further inquiries indicate that Ali had not communicated with her family, friends, or neighbors since October 2024 and had reportedly lived alone for the last seven years.
One neighbor mentioned that she had an ongoing disagreement with the landlord over rent.
Following the discovery, her remains were taken to a morgue before being released to her family, who then transported them to Lahore for final rites.
'We were suddenly shocked'
In a report by Arab News, Naveed Asghar, the deceased's actress brother, rejected widespread media reports claiming the family had disowned the former as he arrived from Lahore to claim Ali's remains from the Chhipa morgue.
"We have come here and after fulfilling all the legal requirements, have received the dead body,” Asghar told the reporters.
Asghar also stated that his sister had independently moved from Lahore to Karachi seven years prior and had intentionally distanced herself from their family, informing their father she was "responsible for [her] own affairs." While she used to visit every six months to a year, she had not made contact for the past eighteen months.
"That is why my father said that if there is any emergency, then you can bury her there [in Karachi]," Asghar said.
Her brother also publicly criticized certain media outlets for focusing on the family's perceived absence instead of scrutinizing the events surrounding his sister's death, including her dispute with the landlord.
"Whatever matters took place with the landlord, did any of you interview him?” he asked reporters.
Asghar added, “You created noise all over Lahore, across Pakistan, and even around the world. But we have come here to take our sister. There are certain formalities that the police have to complete, after which the body is handed over.”
Ali gained prominence when she clinched the Veet Miss Super Model title in 2014.
She appeared in various Pakistani television dramas, including Benaam, Just Married, Guru, and Ehsaan Faramosh, among others. She gained wider recognition through the reality show Tamasha.
In 2023, she received a National Woman Leadership Award for her contribution to media and entertainment in the country.
