People heard ‘horror movie’ screams as man dug grave for spouse then bought a takeaway
Alireza Askari, 42, pleaded guilty to murdering Paria Veisi, 37, before burying her in a makeshift grave concealed by a flower bed at their former home in Penylan, Cardiff
Paria Veisi, 37, was killed(Image: South Wales Police)
A man knifed his former wife to death before burying her remains in the garden of his property, a court has been told. Alireza Askari, 42, confessed to murdering Paria Veisi, 37, at the residence they had once shared in Penylan, Cardiff, in April last year.
On Thursday, Cardiff Crown Court was told Ms Veisi had recently split from her husband and relocated from the house earlier that month. It was in the garden of the property that officers discovered her remains, interred in a “makeshift grave” hidden beneath a flower bed.
William Hughes KC, prosecuting, stated Askari had killed his former wife in the conservatory of the address, before disposing of her remains with help from his aunt, Maryam Delavary.
The court was told Askari and Ms Veisi relocated to the UK from Iran in 2010 and had wed, but were living apart at the time of the murder.
Examination of Askari’s mobile revealed he had been messaging a woman in Iran, thought to be his partner, before the murder. In one text, he informed the woman: “I’m planning for them to kill her in Iran.”
On April 12 2025, Askari bought the suspected murder weapon, a set of kitchen knives, from the supermarket, before heading home.
Mr Hughes stated: “It is the prosecution case that the first defendant, Alireza Askari, murdered Paria Veisi at around 4.30pm on April 12 in the conservatory of his home address.
“After Alireza Askari had murdered Paria Veisi, he prevented the lawful burial of her body by placing her remains in a makeshift grave in the garden.”
Later that day, Askari phoned Delavary, his aunt, who journeyed from London to Cardiff in a taxi, before making another visit to the supermarket where he bought bleach, compost and plants.
Mr Hughes stated: “The prosecution case is that, on arrival, Maryam Delavary was to assist in the covering up of Paria’s murder.”
A friend of Ms Veisi alerted South Wales Police the day following the murder, voicing worries that she was “being kept against her will by her ex-husband” and a missing person inquiry was subsequently initiated.
On 15 April, Askari was apprehended whilst driving back to Cardiff from Birmingham and containers holding caustic soda were discovered inside the vehicle.
Mr Hughes stated: “These chemicals, say the prosecution, were to be used in the destruction of Paria’s remains.”
Following an inspection of the property, Ms Veisi’s body was discovered in the back garden beneath patio slabs, soil and newly-planted flowers.
She had sustained four stab wounds, with injuries to her chest and neck. A witness told police they heard screams “like a horror movie.”
Hiria Veisi, Ms Veisi’s sister, told the court: “This horrific and sudden loss of Paria has shattered our family. It hurts us so deeply as a family to know that (her) future was taken from (her) in an instant.
“What happened to Paria must never be allowed to happen to anyone else. This pain will remain with us for the rest of our lives.”
Askari, of Penylan, Cardiff, previously pleaded guilty to murder and preventing the lawful and decent burial of a body at Cardiff Crown Court.
A further charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm was ordered to lie on file.
Maryam Delavary, 48, of Australia Road, White City Estate, west London, previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Mrs Justice Stacey is expected to sentence both defendants on Friday.
