Although nearly two weeks have passed since the severely decomposed body of model and actress Humaira Asghar Ali believed to be dead for around 10 months was discovered inside her rented apartment in the Defence area, the investigators remain clueless as to whether her death was natural or unnatural.
The recent chemical examination report has further deepened the mystery as it ruled out the presence of any toxic substances, including sedatives, narcotics or poisons. The absence of any conclusive findings — both on the medical and police investigation fronts has left the case entangled in uncertainty.
Adding to the intrigue, unconfirmed reports suggest that white powder was found inside clay pots at the deceased actress’s apartment. While forensic analysis is awaited, officials have not yet confirmed whether the substance is relevant to the cause of death.
Due to the increasing complexity of the case, a team of forensic doctors led by Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed visited the apartment again on Tuesday to collect more evidence.“I am going to the crime scene to collect more samples and evidence, but nothing can be confirmed at this stage,” she told The News.
When asked what might be the reason if cardiac arrest is cited as the cause of death, she replied that the final post-mortem report would soon be issued. So far, police have been unable to gather any helpful clues from neighbours, family or acquaintances that could point toward the circumstances surrounding Humaira’s death. “We haven’t found anything concrete so far,” Clifton SP Imran Jagirani, who is leading the investigation, told The News.
“She had limited interaction with neighbours, family members or people from the showbiz industry. No disputes — personal or professional — have surfaced.” When asked about cardiac arrest being listed as the cause of death in many cases, SP Jagirani remarked: “Even if doctors declare cardiac arrest, we need to know what triggered it. Maybe with further sample collection, we’ll get more clarity. Until then, we are waiting for the final post-mortem report while continuing our investigation.”
When asked whether locals were being questioned about why the strong odour from a decomposing body, which usually appears within three to five days, was not noticed, SP Jagirani responded that neighbours had claimed they noticed an unusual smell once or twice but ignored it, assuming it was from garbage often dumped near the apartment.
Speaking to The News, former medico-legal officer Dr Saleem explained, “Cardiac arrest is the final event in every death — whether due to natural causes or violent ones. For example, even in gunshot cases, the cause is listed as ‘cardiac arrest due to firearm injury’.”
He added that in some cases, laboratory findings do not yield any conclusive clues, and the burden falls on the police to determine what might have led to the death. In Humaira’s case, he said, the body was so severely decomposed that the heart and its tissues were destroyed, making chemical examination impossible. “Still, several possibilities have already been ruled out — such as poisoning or overdose, as per the lab findings.”
SP Jagirani confirmed this stating that no signs of gunshot wounds, blunt force trauma or manual strangulation were found. “There were no bullet marks on the bones, no damage to the neck bone, and no signs of hammering,” he said. “With drugs and poison already ruled out, several scenarios have been excluded.”
