At a Glance
- Aleena Asif, 46, died from cyanide inhalation inside her Long Island home on Oct. 17
- Estranged husband Asif Qureshi, 53, allegedly waited inside, attacked after school drop-off
- Teen daughter found her body; youngest child never got picked up from school
- Why it matters: Case highlights extreme domestic violence and use of lethal chemicals
A mother of three was found dead with chemical burns to her face after her estranged husband allegedly sneaked into her home, forced cyanide into her mouth, and left her body for their children to discover, authorities said.
The Discovery
Aleena Asif failed to pick up her 7-year-old from school on Oct. 17. The school alerted her 18-year-old daughter, who was attending college classes that morning. The teen rushed home and found her mother lying face-up on the bed with red facial burns around her mouth, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office.
Police responded and pronounced Asif dead. The medical examiner later ruled the cause:
- Cause of death: Asphyxiation due to inhalation of a chemical agent
- Agent identified: Cyanide
The Alleged Attack
Prosecutors say Asif Qureshi, 53, an unemployed software engineer, entered the residence while Aleena was taking her 14-year-old and 7-year-old to school. Surveillance footage shows a hooded figure unlocking the front door shortly after the children left.
Investigators claim Qureshi:
- Hid inside the house
- Waited until Aleena returned alone
- Held cyanide over her mouth
- Killed her
- Left before the children came home
“A home should be a place of sanctuary, but this defendant turned it into a house of horrors,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly.
Tracking the Suspect
Detectives matched the hooded figure’s clothing and accessories to Qureshi. Additional footage placed him at a convenience store near his residence shortly after the estimated time of death. He was arrested and charged with:
| Charge | Degree | Potential Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | Second | 25 years to life |
| Burglary | First (2 counts) | 25 years to life |
Qureshi has pleaded not guilty. His next court date is scheduled for February.
Domestic Violence Resources
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential, and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
