Actress found dead in Karachi flat

KARACHI:

Actress and social media celebrity Humaira Asghar Ali, 35, was found dead in her apartment in the posh neighbourhood of the metropolis nearly 20 days after her passing, police confirmed on Tuesday.

The grisly discovery was made when the landlord, accompanied by a court bailiff and police, arrived to execute a court-ordered eviction due to non-payment of rent. Humaira had reportedly not paid rent since 2024, despite having lived in the third-floor flat located in Ittehad Commercial area of DHA Phase VI, since 2018. According to Farooq Sanjrani, SHO Gizri police station, the flat's main door was locked from the inside, raising suspicions.

After breaking open the main door, police found Humaira's body lying inside one of the rooms. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, and initial estimates suggest that she had been dead for 20 to 25 days. The Crime Scene Unit was called to collect forensic evidence, and the body was later moved to JPMC for a postmortem examination. The flat has since been sealed by authorities.

SHO Sanjrani stated that no signs of forced entry or immediate foul play were observed, and the initial assumption is that she may have died of natural causes. However, the exact cause of death will be confirmed following the postmortem report.

Police have not yet been able to locate or contact any of Humaira Asghar Ali's family members. She was believed to be living alone and had limited interaction with neighbours or acquaintances, which contributed to the delay in discovering her death.

An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding her death. Police have urged anyone with information about her family or recent activities to come forward. Humaira Asghar Ali was known for her presence in showbiz and on social media platforms, where she had a modest following and frequently shared lifestyle content.