Pakistani actor and social media influencer Humaira Asghar Ali was recently laid to rest in Lahore, concluding a distressing saga after her body was discovered in her Karachi apartment, having decomposed for many months.
A Tragic Discovery
Humaira Asghar Ali’s body was found on Tuesday inside her rented fourth-floor flat in Karachi’s DHA Ittehad Commercial area. Police, accompanied by a court-appointed bailiff, had forced entry into the apartment to execute an eviction order due to unpaid rent.
Investigators believe her body had been decomposing for approximately eight to ten months. This grim timeline is supported by evidence such as expired food in the refrigerator and her phone’s last activity, which both date back to around October 2024. Electricity to the apartment was also disconnected around the same time due to non-payment.
Ongoing Investigation
An initial post-mortem examination could not determine the exact cause of death due to the advanced state of decomposition. While foul play has not been ruled out, authorities are awaiting chemical and histopathological reports for further clarity. Police have stated that if any foul play is confirmed, legal proceedings will be initiated.
Family’s Response to Misinformation
The discovery sparked public outcry, particularly after initial police statements suggested the family had refused to claim the body. This led to widespread criticism and calls for intervention from various celebrities and government offices.
However, Humaira’s brother, Naveed Asghar, later arrived in Karachi to take custody of her remains, transporting them to Lahore for burial. He vehemently denied claims that the family had abandoned her. Naveed clarified that the body was under police custody for investigation before the family was formally called to claim it, assuring that they had been in contact with both police and welfare associations throughout the process.
He expressed frustration over media reports that focused on the family’s supposed indifference rather than other potential causes of death. Naveed explained that the delay in claiming the body was due to the body’s condition and ongoing legal formalities. He also shared that his parents were distressed by a recent loss of another close relative, which contributed to their delayed response.
A Life in Isolation
Naveed shed light on his sister’s reclusive lifestyle. Humaira had been living in Karachi for the past seven years, often visiting home only after several months, or even a year. He noted that she had not contacted the family for an entire year, although their mother had tried to reach out.
Her mobile phone had been switched off for about six months, making it impossible for the family to trace her. Humaira’s last known public activity was a fashion shoot and her final Instagram post in September 2024. Her WhatsApp messages also stopped being read in early October, indicating a prolonged period of isolation before her discovery.
Despite her public persona as a TikTok and Instagram influencer, Humaira reportedly led a solitary life, with neighbors largely unaware of her fate for nearly a year. The apartment next to hers was unoccupied, and no complaints of odor were reported, contributing to the prolonged secrecy surrounding her passing.
- Humaira Asghar Ali’s body was found after decomposing for 8-10 months in her Karachi apartment.
- Police discovered the body while executing an eviction order for unpaid rent.
- The cause of death is still under investigation due to the advanced state of decomposition.
- Her brother, Naveed Asghar, denied claims of family abandonment, citing procedural delays and recent family grief.
- Humaira had lived a reclusive life in Karachi, with infrequent contact with her family for over a year.
The tragic end to Humaira Asghar Ali’s life highlights the challenges of living in isolation and the complexities that can arise when personal circumstances intersect with public visibility.
