A man who brutally murdered his wife and buried her in the garden has been sentenced to life behind bars. Paria Veisi’s remains were uncovered in a crude grave in the rear garden of her husband Alireza Askari’s property, just under two weeks after she ended their marriage.
Her death was due a fatal knife attack to her neck and upper chest. Ms Veisi, 37, was found dead at the Cardiff residence on April 15 last year after worried relatives reported her disappearance. The Iranian-born woman was last spotted four days prior, departing her Canton workplace behind the wheel of a black Mercedes. Askari, 42, of Foster Drive in Penylan, initially entered guilty pleas solely to manslaughter and preventing lawful and decent burial he then subsequently admitted to murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years. This was reduced to 25 years and 37 days, to take into account the time Askari has spent on remand. If released, the defendant will be on licence for the rest of his life.
Paria was buried in the back garden (Image: FACEBOOK)
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Ms Veisi had travelled to the Foster Drive property following a telephone conversation with her estranged husband.
Moments after she arrived, he fatally stabbed her using one of four kitchen knives he had purchased from Tesco earlier that day.
Prosecutor William Hughes KC suggested the attack took her « completely by surprise » as there were no defensive injuries to Ms Veisi’s body.
She had vacated the property fewer than two weeks before her murder.
She had begun renting accommodation in Richmond Road on April 3, 2025, and was employed as a hairdresser at the Rey salon in Cowbridge Road East, Canton.
Within minutes of the attack, Askari contacted Delavary, who was at her home in London but quickly took a taxi from White City to Cardiff, where she helped him cover up the offence.
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Alireza Askari arrives at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday 22 April 2025 (Image: Athena Pictures/ Kara Thomas)
His auntie, Maryam Delavary, 48, of White City in London, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and has been sentenced to five years and six months imprisonment.
The term she has spent on remand will be deducted from the sentence, of which she will spend 40% in custody.
Delavary was reported as assisting her nephew in bleaching the premises and excavating a burial plot in the garden, following Ms Veisi’s killing in the Foster Drive property’s conservatory.
The duo interred Ms Veisi in a section of the garden that had once housed a pond.
WalesOnline said Cardiff Crown Court heard that her remains were covered with earth and freshly purchased flowers from B&Q, bought after the murder, alongside concrete paving slabs.
A witness who was in a vehicle close to the property at around 4.30pm on April 12 heard a scream they described as reminiscent of a horror film.
The police investigation and where Paria Veisi’s body was found (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
At 8.13pm that evening, Askari then impersonated the woman he had just murdered in a message from Ms Veisi’s phone to her employer at the salon. The message said she would be going back to Iran for a month or two as a « medical thing » had come up.
He also moved her vehicle from her residence.
Askari’s lawyer Adam Sharp told the court his client had « no clear rationale or motive » and that his mental illness was « a contributory factor » in the attack.
However, the judge, Mrs Justice Stacey, challenged him on why he believed there was no apparent motive.
« Really? » she added. « His wife had moved into a flat less than two weeks earlier and you don’t think that is the rationale? I would have thought it self-evident… He would clearly rather kill her than her leave him. »
Memorial service for Cardiff woman Paria Veisi (Image: John Myers/ Wales Online)
Mrs Justice Stacey also scrutinised remarks from Delavary’s barrister, Thomas Crowther KC, about her enduring 20 years of domestic abuse from her ex-husband in Iran before fleeing, only to find herself « in the service » of her « domineering » nephew, who allegedly threatened her: « If you tell anyone, you will be sleeping next to her.
« We know that she has lied, and she has lied, and she has lied, » stated Mrs Justice Stacey, whose perception from the police bodycam footage was that she appeared « stronger and more powerful » than Askari.
The judge was also reported to have been taken aback by Delavary’s command to her nephew in Farsi to « shut up » when police were questioning him.
Mrs Justice Stacey requested an investigation into Delavary’s allegations of abuse prior to Friday, when she intends to deliver the sentence.
Around 100 mourners assembled at the Norwegian church in Cardiff Bay to pay their respects following the confirmation of Ms Veisi’s death.
Memorial service held at the Norwegian Church Arts Centre and attended by hundreds (Image: John Myers)
Some attendees were asked to step outside to allow others to enter due to the church being so crowded.
Close friend Sara Rezaei paid tribute to Ms Veisi and said: « Paria wasn’t just someone in the headlines.
« She was a kind, caring, and vibrant soul who brought joy to everyone around her.
« We are devastated, heartbroken, and still in shock. »
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