A man who fatally stabbed his wife and concealed her body in a makeshift grave under a bed of flowers in his garden has been handed a life sentence after confessing to the murder. Alireza Askari, 42, attacked Paria Veisi, 37, with four stabs before burying her beneath newly planted flowers at a residence they once shared in Penylan, Cardiff, in April 2025. The court heard that the couple had recently separated, and Veisi, an Iranian immigrant who had moved to the UK in 2010, had relocated before the tragic incident occurred.
Askari admitted to the murder and obstructing a proper burial, receiving a life term with a minimum of 26 years in prison. Prosecutors revealed that Askari purchased a set of knives, including the suspected murder weapon, on April 12, 2025, and committed the crime upon returning home. He then prevented Veisi’s lawful burial by concealing her remains in a makeshift grave in the garden.
Furthermore, Askari impersonated Veisi by sending messages from her phone to mislead others about her whereabouts, including her employer at the salon. Veisi was reported missing by a concerned friend who suspected foul play by her ex-husband. A missing persons inquiry led to Askari’s arrest on April 15 as he traveled back to Cardiff from Birmingham, with containers of caustic soda discovered in his vehicle, believed to be intended for destroying Veisi’s remains.
During the court proceedings, it emerged that Askari had communicated with another woman about plans to harm Veisi in Iran. Veisi’s body was eventually found buried beneath patio slabs and soil in Askari’s garden, showing evidence of multiple stab wounds. The prosecution pointed out the absence of defensive injuries on Veisi’s body, indicating that the attack caught her off guard.
Veisi’s sister expressed profound grief over her sudden and violent death, emphasizing the irreparable loss suffered by their family. Askari’s defense cited his mental health issues, claiming a lack of clear motive for the crime, while the judge questioned the rationale behind the brutal act. The sentencing resulted in a reduced term for Askari, accounting for time spent in custody. Mrs. Justice Stacey remarked that Veisi was on the verge of a fresh start, free from her husband’s influence, before the tragic incident occurred, leaving her loved ones devastated by the untimely loss.
