March 5, 2025

S17E01 | Shafilea Ahmed (Warrington, Cheshire, 2003)

Season 17 True Crime England Honour Killing

In September 2003, 17-year-old Shafilea Ahmed vanished from her home in Warrington, Cheshire, leaving behind a worrying trail of unanswered questions. A bright and ambitious student, she had dreams of independence, but those dreams clashed with the expectations placed upon her by her family.

For years, her disappearance remained a mystery, until a shocking revelation finally exposed the horrifying truth. What really happened to Shafilea that night? And why did it take nearly a decade for justice to be served?

By covering Shafilea's story, I hope to raise awareness of the devastating reality of so-called "honour-based" abuse and the urgent need to challenge it. If you or someone you know is at risk or are experiencing it currently, please seek help from one of the below resources:

Join my Patreon community at patreon.com/britishmurders for exclusive perks, including early access to ad-free episodes, bonus episodes and content, exciting giveaways, and welcome goodies!

Follow me on social media:
Facebook | British Murders with Stuart Blues
Instagram | @britishmurders
TikTok | @britishmurders

Join the private Facebook group:
British Murders Podcast - Discussion Group

Intro music:⁣
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣
davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

References:
Brown, C., Hart, E., Holland, A., Mallins, A., & Wheeler, C. (Directors). (2008, February 20). Crimewatch (season 25, episode 2). BBC-TV Productions.
Bunyan, N. (2012, August 3). Parents of Shafilea Ahmed sentenced to 25-years after being found guilty of her “honour” killing. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9449374/Parents-of-Shafilea-Ahmed-sentenced-to-25-years-after-being-found-guilty-of-her-honour-killing.html
Carter, H. (2012a, August 3). Shafilea Ahmed’s life and death – timeline. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/aug/03/shafilea-ahmed-life-death-timeline
Carter, H. (2012b, August 3). Shafilea Ahmed’s tragic history of violence. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/aug/03/shafilea-ahmed-history-of-violence
Everett, A. (2020, July 14). Police chief on “honour abuse” on Shafilea Ahmed’s birthday. Warrington Guardian. https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/18579710.police-chief-honour-abuse-shafilea-ahmeds-birthday/
Funeral for murdered Shafilea. (2004, April 9). BBC News. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/3609567.stm
honour killing (noun) - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes. (n.d.). Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/honour-killing?q=honour+killing
How Shafilea Ahmed’s own words helped to convict her parents of murder. (2012, August 3). Manchester Evening News. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/how-shafilea-ahmeds-own-words-helped-692396
Iftikhar Ahmed’s first wife: He embraced Western life. (2012, August 3). ITV News. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.itv.com/news/update/2012-08-03/iftikhar-ahmeds-first-wife-he-embraced-western-life/
interestmedia. (2012, August 3). BBC News - Shafilea Ahmed killed by parents in honour killing [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqNsY_ZODZk
Pakistani parents jailed for “honour killing” of daughter. (2012, August 3). Yahoo! News. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from http://news.yahoo.com/pakistani-parents-guilty-murdering-british-daughter-143840678.html
Pals pay tribute to Shafilea. (2013, January 18). Manchester Evening News. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/pals-pay-tribute-to-shafilea-939572
redcard74. (2018, December 22). Crimewatch UK February 2008 [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28WJSUSB7MI
School friend pays moving tribute to Shafilea Ahmed. (2012, August 3). Warrington Guardian. https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/9854863.school-friend-pays-moving-tribute-to-shafilea-ahmed/
Sentencing Remarks of Mr. Justice Roderick Evans | R -v- Iftikhar Ahmed and Farzana Ahmed. (2012). In Judiciary of England and Wales. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/JCO/Documents/Judgments/ahmed-ahmed-sentencing-remarks-03082012.pdf
Shafelia family’s bail cancelled. (2006, February 7). BBC News. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bradford/4688948.stm
Shafilea Ahmed’s parents abused her daily, sister tells court. (2012, May 22). BBC News. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-18161066
Shafilea Ahmed’s poems reveal secret torment. (2012, August 3). BBC News. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-18924284
Shafilea Ahmed’s sister talks of “relief.” (2012, May 24). BBC News. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-18194131
Shafilea murder: Released parents want truth. (2006, February 22). The Asian News. http://www.theasiannews.co.uk/news/s/209/209605_shafilea_murder_released_parents_want_truth.html
Tears as tragic Shafilea is laid to rest. (2013, January 18). Manchester Evening News. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/tears-as-tragic-shafilea-is-laid-to-rest-1106910
The story of a troubled life that ended in tragedy. (2012, August 3). ITV News. https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2012-08-03/the-story-of-a-trouble-life-that-ended-in-tragedy
Twinch, E. (2012, August 17). “Honour killing” girl applied to council for housing. Inside Housing. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/honour-killing-girl-applied-to-council-for-housing-32714