Father Kills Daughter and Flees to Pakistan After Hiding Her Body

Dateline: Cardiff, Wales | 5 June 2026
By Michelle Zeah, United Kingdom

The body of 18-year-old Saman Abbas was discovered in a farmhouse in northern Italy on 22 November 2022, more than a year after she disappeared. Her death was later confirmed to be an honour killing. Her father, Shabbar Abbas, was arrested in Pakistan and extradited to Italy to stand trial.
Shabbar Abbas and his wife, Nazia Shaheen, were living in Pakistan before moving to Italy in 2016 after receiving a work opportunity through relatives. They relocated with their family, including their son and daughter, as well as other relatives. After settling in Italy, Saman gradually embraced aspects of Western culture. She stopped wearing the hijab and sought greater independence, which created tensions within her conservative family.

A few years later, Saman began a relationship with a young Pakistani man named Fahad. Aware of her family's strict views, she knew they would strongly oppose the relationship. Tensions escalated after her family became aware of her relationship and social media activity.

According to court findings, Saman reported abuse and mistreatment by her family and sought refuge at an organisation that assisted vulnerable individuals. She remained there for several months. During that period, her father repeatedly contacted her and eventually persuaded her to return home. She agreed on the condition that she would receive her passport and personal documents and be allowed to live without interference.

A few days after returning home, Saman suddenly disappeared. Initially, she remained in contact with her boyfriend, but one day she stopped responding to calls and messages. Concerned for her safety, he contacted her family, who claimed that she had left the house. A missing person investigation was subsequently launched.

Investigators soon discovered that shortly after Saman's disappearance, Shabbar Abbas and Nazia Shaheen had travelled back to Pakistan. Other family members also left Italy, raising suspicions among authorities. As the investigation progressed, police arrested and questioned several relatives. Evidence gathered during the inquiry eventually revealed that Saman had been murdered by members of her own family.

Prosecutors established that after returning home, Saman was pressured to travel to Pakistan and enter into a marriage arranged by her family. She refused these demands. Investigators concluded that her family viewed her refusal and desire for independence as a challenge to their honour. As a result, she was killed in a premeditated act of honour-based violence. Her body was secretly buried in a farmhouse in northern Italy.

Italian authorities located Saman's remains approximately 18 months after her disappearance. A post-mortem examination concluded that she had died by strangulation.

Italian authorities later secured the extradition of Shabbar Abbas from Pakistan. Nazia Shaheen was subsequently located in Pakistan and brought to Italy to face justice. Both parents were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. Other relatives involved in the crime also received lengthy prison sentences. Following appeals, some sentences were increased, reflecting the gravity of the offence.
The determination shown by Italian investigators and prosecutors was widely praised. Despite the challenges of an international investigation, authorities pursued the case across borders and secured convictions against those responsible. 

The case remains one of the most significant honour killing prosecutions in recent European history and stands as a reminder of the importance of protecting individuals from violence committed in the name of so-called family honour.