Pakistan reels: Actress Humaira's remains found six months after death
The sudden and solitary death of Pakistani actress and model Humaira Asghar Ali, aged 32, has left the entertainment industry in grief and ignited public outrage over her family’s refusal to claim her body.
Found deceased in her Karachi apartment, Humaira’s final days were marked by isolation and unanswered pleas for help, highlighting a heart-breaking end to a once-vibrant career.
Police discovered Humaira’s body after her landlord, citing unpaid rent, sought eviction through a local court. On July 10, at approximately 3:15 pm, Gizri police forced entry into her locked apartment, finding her lifeless body inside. With no signs of forced entry and the balcony door also locked from within, initial investigations suggest a natural or unattended death, though foul play has not been ruled out pending toxicology and forensic reports.
The body, in an advanced state of decomposition, indicates Humaira likely died in late 2024. DIG South Asad Raza noted, “Expired food and drinks in her refrigerator date back to September 2024, and her phone’s last activity was in October 2024. Both SIMs have been inactive since, and electricity was cut off due to unpaid bills.”
No neighbours reported a foul smell, as the adjacent apartment was unoccupied. Her last Instagram post was on September 30, 2024, and an unread WhatsApp message from her stylist, Danish Maqsood, was dated October 20, 2024.
When police contacted Humaira’s father, Dr Asghar Ali, a retired army doctor, he reportedly stated the family had severed ties with her years ago and refused to claim her remains.
With no family stepping forward, the Sindh culture department has taken responsibility for her funeral and burial arrangements. Actors Yashma Gill and Sonya Hussyn have offered support for her last rites, expressing sorrow over her tragic end.
Authorities will make one final attempt to persuade her family before declaring her body heirless for state burial.
Humaira, who lived alone, had become increasingly reclusive in recent months, with unpaid rent accumulating since early 2024. She rose to fame through ARY Digital’s reality show Tamasha Ghar, a Big Brother-style program, and starred in the 2015 action-thriller Jalaibee and dramas like Just Married, Chal Dil Mere, Ehsaan Faramosh, and Guru. Her final role was in the 2021 film Love Vaccine, alongside Farhan Saeed and Sonya Hussyn.
As investigations continue, fans and colleagues mourn the loss of a talented artist whose final days were marked by profound loneliness, prompting broader conversations about mental health and support in the entertainment industry.