A Cardiff man is facing a life sentence after confessing to the brutal murder of his estranged wife, whose body was discovered buried in his suburban garden.
A Fatal Disappearance and a Grisly Discovery
Paria Veisi, a 37-year-old woman originally from Iran, was reported missing to South Wales Police on April 13 after she was last seen leaving her workplace. The investigation led officers to her black Mercedes, valued at £40,000, which was found abandoned on an affluent street. There was, however, no trace of Paria herself.
The search ended in tragedy four days later. Her body was found in the garden of a property in the Penylan area of Cardiff, the home of her estranged husband, Alireza Askari, aged 42. A subsequent inquest revealed she had died from multiple stab wounds to her upper chest and neck.
From Denial to a Late Guilty Plea
Askari had initially denied a charge of murder but admitted to manslaughter, with a trial scheduled for April. However, in a significant turn of events, he has now pleaded guilty to the full charge of murder. He also admitted to attempting to pervert the course of justice by burying her body to conceal the crime.
During a hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, Mrs Justice Stacey remarked to Askari: ‘Well done for pleading guilty, better late than never.’ He is due to return to the same court next month to be formally sentenced.
The court heard that police had initially attended Askari's address and received an account from him, only to return days later and make the horrific discovery.
Campaign for Change and a Life Remembered
This case adds to the grim statistics of violence against women, an issue highlighted by Metro's 'This Is Not Right' campaign launched in November 2024. The campaign, run in partnership with Women's Aid, seeks to confront the national emergency of male violence.
In a separate legal proceeding, Askari's aunt, 48-year-old Maryam Delavary from White City, London, previously admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice in connection with Paria's death. She confessed to concealing evidence and providing false information to police.
Following her death, around 100 mourners gathered at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff Bay to pay tribute to Paria. Her close friend, Sara Rezaei, remembered her as far more than a headline. ‘Paria wasn’t just someone in the headlines—she was a kind, caring, and vibrant soul who brought joy to everyone around her,’ Rezaei said. ‘She was caring, selfless and always ready to help. We are devastated, heartbroken, and still in shock.’
The coroner, Patricia Morgan, had opened and then suspended the inquest into Paria's death pending the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, noting she had reason to suspect the death was violent in nature.
