Remains found in search for woman murdered by husband 12 years ago

Police are searching for the remains of Rania Alayed, who was murdered by her abusive husband 12 years ago, after human remains have now been discovered. Ahmed Khatib was sentenced to life in prison for the premeditated "honor killing" of the mother-of-three in Salford, but her body had never been found. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) stated that they returned to an area off the A19 near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, on Monday to search for the 25-year-old woman, due to new information received.

Police added that buried remains were found there, which they "strongly believe" are those of Ms. Alayed. In June 2014, Khatib, from Gorton, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years. While formal identification has not yet taken place, GMP stated that Alayed's family has been informed of the discovery. This provides a crucial step towards closure for the family after years of uncertainty.

Her son, Yazan, said the discovery was "a surreal and welcome surprise for me and my family." He said: "Being able to provide a place for her to finally rest is all we have ever wanted. To be able to offer flowers to my mother, it's more than I could have ever expected in this life." This statement reflects the profound impact of the discovery on the family and their long-held hope for closure.

The trial hearing heard that Alayed had lived in Norton, Teesside, before moving to Greater Manchester and had suffered years of abuse at the hands of Khatib. Jurors were told that he murdered his wife in what was a "premeditated honor killing" because he believed she was becoming too Westernized and was "building an independent life." The trial also heard that Khatib then began an elaborate deception, with CCTV showing him wearing a hijab in an attempt to impersonate Ms. Alayed. He sent messages and texts to her friends and family, trying to convince them she was still alive.

The sentencing judge, Mr. Justice Leggatt, told him: "Your contempt for Rania in death matched the attitude you had towards her in life." Det Chief Insp Neil Higson said the murder was "utterly despicable" and not knowing where her body was "caused further distress to all those who knew her." He said: "More than a decade after her murder, we are now hopeful that we have found Rania's remains and can finally provide her family with some closure, knowing they have suffered so much pain and grief over the years." This signifies a major breakthrough in a long-standing case.

In recent years, searches for Alayed's remains have focused on a layby off the A19, after one of Khatib's brothers told police she was buried there. Muhanned Khatib, from Salford, admitted to assisting an offender by transporting and concealing Ms. Alayed's body and was sentenced to three years in prison. A third brother, Hussein Khatib, from Gorton, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and jailed for four years. Police have searched the A19 area several times, but police said officers discovered the buried human remains there on Tuesday after receiving new information. Police added that a scene will remain in place in the coming days.