UK Man Murders Estranged Wife, Claims Voices Ordered Killing After Gym Shower
A shocking murder case has unfolded in Cardiff, where a man brutally killed his estranged wife before calmly visiting a leisure centre to shower and later claiming mysterious voices in his head had commanded the violent act. The disturbing details emerged during proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court, revealing a calculated attack followed by an elaborate attempt to conceal the crime.
Planned Attack on Separated Spouse
The victim, 37-year-old Paria Veisi, was stabbed multiple times at her husband Alireza Askari's residence on Foster Drive in Penylan. The couple had separated less than two weeks earlier, with Veisi having moved out of the home and begun renting a new property in Cardiff while working as a hairdresser at a salon in Canton.
Prosecutors presented evidence suggesting the attack was premeditated, noting that Askari had purchased kitchen knives earlier on the day of the killing. The fatal encounter occurred on April 12, 2025, following a phone conversation between the former partners.
"The scream sounded like something from a horror film," testified a witness who was sitting in a car outside the property at the time. Prosecutors believe this chilling cry came from Veisi at the precise moment she was attacked inside the conservatory of the house, where she suffered multiple stab wounds to her neck and upper chest.
Post-Murder Gym Visit and Cover-Up Operation
Instead of immediately reporting the violent incident, Askari left the property soon after the attack and drove directly to the David Lloyd leisure centre in Cardiff. There, he reportedly took a shower while an associate waited nearby. During this unusual post-murder gym visit, Askari also made a phone call to a woman in Iran who prosecutors believe was his girlfriend.
The sequence of events took an even more sinister turn when Askari contacted his aunt, Maryam Delavary, who traveled from London to Cardiff to assist with cleaning the crime scene and disposing of the body. The pair used bleach and cleaning supplies to remove blood evidence from the conservatory floor before digging a hole in the back garden.
Veisi's body was buried in a makeshift grave in an area that had previously been a pond. To conceal the burial site, they covered it with soil, concrete patio slabs, and newly purchased flowers. In a further attempt to mislead investigators, Askari allegedly sent messages from Veisi's phone claiming she had traveled to Iran for medical reasons, while also moving her car from its usual location.
Discovery and Arrests
Concerned friends eventually reported Veisi missing, prompting a police investigation that led officers to search the Foster Drive property. During their examination, authorities discovered the victim's body buried in the garden.
Askari was arrested while returning from a trip to Birmingham, where he had purchased caustic soda—a highly corrosive chemical that prosecutors allege he planned to use to destroy the remains. Delavary was arrested separately in London for her role in helping conceal the crime.
Mental Health Defense and Guilty Pleas
During police questioning, Askari claimed he suffered from schizophrenia and asserted that voices in his head had instructed him what actions to take. He also told investigators that an unidentified man named "Hasan" had directed him through steps that covered up the crime.
Prosecutors firmly rejected this explanation, arguing that substantial evidence demonstrated careful planning and deliberate attempts to conceal the murder. The unusual gym visit shortly after the killing became a particularly significant detail in the prosecution's case against the mental health defense.
Ultimately, Askari admitted to murdering Veisi, while Delavary pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. The court is expected to deliver sentencing after hearing further submissions from both legal teams.
The case has drawn attention to domestic violence patterns and the complexities surrounding mental health defenses in criminal proceedings. As the legal process continues, authorities emphasize the importance of thorough investigation when presented with unusual post-crime behavior patterns.
