Pakistani actress and model Humaira Asghar Ali was found dead in her Karachi apartment on July 8, 2025, nearly nine months after investigators believe she actually died. The 32-year-old’s decomposed body was discovered by a court-appointed bailiff executing an eviction order over unpaid rent at her fourth-floor apartment in the upscale Defense Phase VI area.
Police investigations indicate Ali likely died in October 2024, with digital evidence supporting this timeline. Her last Facebook post was dated September 11, 2024, and her final Instagram update occurred on September 30, 2024. Call detail records show her last phone activity was in October 2024, and both SIM cards in her phone became inactive around the same time.
Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza confirmed that expired food and drinks in Ali’s refrigerator dated back to September 2024. Electricity to the apartment was disconnected in October 2024 due to non-payment of bills, and investigators found no alternate power sources or candles in the residence. The last text message on her phone was from a ride-hailing service, while her final WhatsApp message was seen on October 7, 2024.
The post-mortem examination revealed disturbing details about the condition of Ali’s remains. Parts of her body were entirely devoid of muscle tissue, with bones disintegrating upon touch. Internal organs had decomposed into a black-colored mass, and brain matter had completely decomposed through autolysis. While the head and spine remained intact, the spinal cord was missing due to severe decomposition. Brown-colored insects were found in her hair, though no maggots were present.
The advanced state of decomposition has made determining the exact cause of death impossible at this stage. No fractures were detected in the bones, but forensic experts have preserved samples for toxicology and DNA analysis. Hair strands, clothing, and blood samples have been sent for chemical analysis as investigators work to piece together the circumstances surrounding her death.
Ali’s isolation contributed to the delayed discovery of her body. She had been living alone in the apartment for seven years. The adjacent apartment on the same floor remained vacant until February 2025, which prevented neighbors from detecting any unusual odors. An open balcony door may have helped dissipate smells that could have alerted others to her death.
The investigation took a new turn when citizen Shahzaib Sohail filed a petition in Karachi’s City Court alleging that Ali was murdered. The petition cited video evidence from the scene and her strained family relationships as grounds for suspicion. The court has directed police to treat the matter as a potential criminal case, leading to the formation of a six-member special investigation team headed by SP Clifton Imran Jakhrani.
Police have made significant progress in accessing Ali’s digital devices. Using passwords found in her personal diary, investigators unlocked three mobile phones and a tablet belonging to the actress. A laptop was also recovered, though access remains pending. Authorities are reviewing chat logs and digital footprints to trace her interactions during her final months and conducting a forensic audit of her bank accounts.
The family’s response to Ali’s death has added another layer of complexity to the case. Her father, Dr. Asghar Ali, a retired army doctor, reportedly told police they had severed ties with her and refused to claim her body. Her brother also declined to take custody of the remains. Eventually, her brother-in-law agreed to travel from Lahore to Karachi to handle the burial arrangements.
Members of the entertainment industry and the Sindh Culture Department offered to take responsibility for Ali’s burial if her family continued to refuse. She was ultimately laid to rest on Friday evening in the Model Town Q Block graveyard in Lahore.
Following her death, a voice message Ali sent to her close friend Dureshehwar has gone viral on social media. In the message, reportedly sent in September 2024, Ali expressed happiness about her friend’s pilgrimage to Mecca and requested prayers for her career and personal well-being. The message has added an emotional dimension to the case as investigators continue their work.
Ali was known for her appearances in the reality TV series “Tamasha Ghar” and the Pakistani film “Jalaibee.” She had built a strong following on TikTok and Instagram as a social media influencer, though reports indicate she had become increasingly isolated in recent years.
The case has drawn comparisons to another recent incident involving 84-year-old actress Ayesha Khan, who was also found dead in her Karachi apartment after living alone. Police continue to investigate all possibilities, including natural causes, suicide, accident, and murder, as they await results from ongoing forensic tests.
