Woman’s body discovered at Cardiff home days after she was reported missing
A MAN murdered his estranged wife and buried her in the garden of their home less than two weeks after she ended their relationship, a court has heard.
The body of Paria Veisi, 37, was discovered buried in the back garden of a property in Penylan, Cardiff with stab wounds to her neck and upper chest.
South Wales Police launched an investigation after Ms Veisi, originally from Iran, was reported missing by family and friends. She had last been seen leaving her workplace in Canton, Cardiff on April 11 last year while driving a black Mercedes.
Her body was found four days later, on April 15, at the Foster Drive address she had previously shared with her husband.
Her husband, Alireza Askari, 42, initially admitted manslaughter and preventing a lawful burial before later pleading guilty to murder at Cardiff Crown Court.
The court heard that shortly after the killing, Askari contacted his aunt, Maryam Delavary, 48, who travelled from White City, London to Cardiff to help conceal the crime.
Prosecutors said the pair cleaned the property with bleach before digging a grave in the garden, in an area that had previously been a pond. The body was buried under soil, concrete slabs and newly planted flowers bought from B&Q.
Witnesses told the court that a person passing the house around 4.30pm on April 12 heard a scream they described as sounding like it came from a horror film.
Ms Veisi had travelled to the house after receiving a phone call from Askari. Shortly after arriving, she was stabbed with one of four kitchen knives he had purchased earlier that day from Tesco.
Prosecutor William Hughes KC said there were no defensive injuries on the victim’s body, suggesting the attack took her completely by surprise.
The court also heard that hours after the killing Askari sent a message from his wife’s phone to her employer claiming she had travelled to Iran due to a medical issue. He also moved her car away from her home in an attempt to mislead investigators.
Ms Veisi had moved out of the property less than two weeks before the killing and had begun renting a property on Richmond Road while continuing to work as a hairdresser at the Rey salon on Cowbridge Road East.
During the hearing, Mrs Justice Stacey challenged the defence suggestion that there was no clear motive for the killing, noting that the couple had recently separated.
Delavary has admitted perverting the course of justice, although the judge questioned aspects of her account and asked for further investigation into claims she had been threatened by her nephew.
Following confirmation of Ms Veisi’s death, around 100 mourners gathered to pay tribute at the Norwegian Church Arts Centre.
Her friend Sara Rezaei described her as “a kind, caring and vibrant soul who brought joy to everyone around her”.
Sentencing in the case has been adjourned and is due to continue.
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