Poisoning or toxic exposure? Police release results of forensic tests on actress Humaira Asghar Ali's body

Karachi police have confirmed that no toxic substances have been found in the body of Humaira Asghar Ali, a 42-year-old actress whose decomposed remains were discovered in Karachi last week — nine months after her death.

Originally from Lahore, Humaira had been living alone in a rented apartment in Karachi’s Ittehad Commercial area for nearly seven years while pursuing a career in acting. Her body was found on July 8 when a court-appointed bailiff entered the apartment to vacate the premises due to unpaid rent.

“The chemical analysis confirms that no sedatives, psychotics, narcotics, or poisonous substances were present in the body,” said Senior Superintendent of Police Mahroz Ali, citing a report by the Industrial Analytical Center at the University of Karachi’s HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry.

Forensic tests conducted on samples from Humaira's hair, lungs, and liver found no evidence of poisoning or toxic exposure, police said.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Asad Raza stated that investigators believe Humaira died sometime between the evening of October 7 and the early hours of October 8, 2024. However, the significant delay in discovering the body has complicated efforts to determine the exact cause of death.

“We are looking at four possible scenarios: natural causes, accidental death, suicide, or homicide,” Raza said last week. “Based on the evidence so far, natural or accidental death appears more likely.”

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The room where Humaira's body was found functioned as both an art studio and a walkway to the bathroom. Raza noted that she may have slipped while doing laundry. A tub filled with washed clothes was discovered nearby, suggesting she may have been engaged in household chores at the time of her death.

“There were no broken bones, no signs of bleeding, and no indication of a struggle,” Raza said. “In cases involving foul play, we usually find signs of resistance—but none were present.”

Despite the lack of physical evidence pointing to foul play, investigators have not ruled out the possibility of third-party involvement. “It remains a remote possibility, but we are still exploring that angle,” Raza said.

Police have also recovered mobile phones and tablets from the apartment, which have been sent for forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.