The discovery was made when a court bailiff entered her fourth-floor apartment in the Ittehad Commercial Area to enforce an eviction order filed by her landlord due to unpaid rent since April 2024. Upon breaking open the locked door, officials found the actress deceased inside, alone.
Timeline of Events and Investigation
Initially, police suspected Humaira had died only a few weeks before being found, based on visual signs of decomposition. However, a deeper investigation has revealed a much earlier date of death. Karachi Police, led by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Asad Raza and other senior officers, have confirmed that all digital and forensic evidence points to her death occurring around October 2024.
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Her last Facebook post was dated September 11, 2024, and the last Instagram post was from September 30, 2024.
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Her mobile phone SIM was last active in October 2024, with no calls, texts, or data usage afterward.
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Her utility bills stopped being paid around the same time, and electricity was cut off due to non-payment in October.
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Expired food found in her fridge dated back to September 2024. Items such as milk and bread had clearly been untouched for months.
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Kitchen jars were rusted, water pipes had dried, and no alternative power source or candles were found in the apartment.
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Investigators also confirmed that the balcony door was left open, possibly helping dissipate odor over time.
One major factor in the delayed discovery was that the apartment next door was vacant. It was only re-occupied in February 2025, by which time any foul smell had largely disappeared. According to investigators, the smell of decomposition starts to fade after 10 to 15 days, which likely explains why no major complaints had been made earlier.
A senior police official stated, “She probably passed away shortly after her last online activities, sometime between her last utility payments and when the electricity was disconnected.”
Forensic and Post-Mortem Findings
A post-mortem was conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) by Karachi Police Surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed. She described the body as being in a "very advanced state of decomposition." Reports mentioned that some tissues appeared to be “burned,” and joints—especially around the knees—were already rotting. These signs clearly indicated that the death was many months old, not recent.
Dr. Syed and a forensic team also visited the apartment again, collecting surface samples, DNA swabs, and material for chemical testing. Results are pending, but so far, no evidence of foul play or forced entry has been found. The main door was locked from the inside, and there were no signs of struggle or injury.
Police are currently treating the case as a possible natural death, pending toxicology and forensic results. However, mental health concerns and isolation are also being considered possible contributing factors.
Family’s Response and Final Arrangements
Police contacted Humaira’s family after the discovery. However, her father declined to claim the body, stating that ties with her had been severed years ago. Her brother refused to travel to Karachi, though he maintained limited communication with police. Recently, her brother-in-law reached out to take responsibility for her remains, which are currently at the Chhipa morgue awaiting final arrangements.
This lack of family support has further saddened the public, highlighting the emotional isolation she may have suffered in her final months.
Humaira’s Life and Career
Born on October 10, 1992, in Lahore, Humaira Asghar Ali studied at the National College of Arts (NCA), earning degrees in Fine Arts, TV, and Film. She later completed an M.Phil from Punjab University.
She began her career as a model in 2013, working with top designers, and later transitioned into acting. She gained widespread recognition after winning the title of Veet Miss Super Model in 2014. Her acting credits include:
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TV Dramas: Just Married, Ehsaan Faramosh, Guru, Chal Dil Mere
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Films: Jalaibee (2015), Love Vaccine (2021)
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Reality Show: Tamasha Ghar (2022)
Humaira was also known as a talented painter and sculptor. She frequently posted on Instagram, where she had over 715,000 followers, sharing her art, fitness routines, and daily life. Her last post showed no signs of distress but her reduced online presence indicated a possible withdrawal from public life.
Public Reaction and Mental Health Awareness
Her death has deeply impacted Pakistan’s entertainment industry. Celebrities including Mawra Hocane, Amar Khan, Humayun Saeed, Adnan Siddiqui, and Atiqa Odho expressed sorrow and shock. Mawra Hocane emphasized the importance of mental health awareness, while Atiqa Odho remembered Humaira as a “gentle soul” and a quiet creative.
The case follows the recent death of actress Ayesha Khan, who also died alone, raising fresh concerns about isolation and lack of support systems in the entertainment industry. Sindh Culture Minister Zulfiqar Ali Shah has taken official notice of the case, calling it a wake-up call for society.
