A BRITISH woman, who was recently arrested in Finland over her toddler’s death, has died in a suspected case of suicide.
Ayesha Ali, 35, had been taken into police custody after her two-year-old son Adam was found dead in her apartment in Espoo last month. Reports said she was “rushed” last week from the prison to a hospital, where she died on Thursday (February 6).
“The cause of death is investigated under a strict duty of confidentiality. Therefore, we cannot reveal more details,” said Crime commissioner Petri Eronen.
“On a general level, we can say that the police are investigating what led to the suspect's death,” he added.
Ali had allegedly killed Adam, after she told family and friends that she was going to kill herself. Subsequently, the Cambridge graduate was sent to Vantaa Prison near Helsinki.
At the time of her arrest, neighbours had heard Ali shouting, “I have killed my son… I have killed my son….”
They said one of her friends had tried pacifying Ali, shouting to her: “Ayesha! We're here to help you. We can talk about it.”
But, all that Ali replied was: “I want to die”.
Police officers had to break the lock to enter the apartment. When they attempted to resuscitate the boy, Ali reportedly told them, “He turned blue and is very cold.”
Ali, a freelance English teacher from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, had moved to Finland with Adam’s father Adnane Osmane, an assistant professor of physics at Alto University, in January last year.
Osmane filed for divorce in May and a custody battle over their son ensued. Reports said Ali had been living in a homeless shelter at that time.
In one of her online posts, Ali said: “Some recent personal experiences have piqued my interest in family law and the experiences of immigrant women and children in Finland.”
Eventually, however, Ali and Osmane agreed on joint custody, wherein Adam would stay with the mother from Sunday to Tuesday.
“He was a lovely little boy—very cute,” one of Ali’s neighbours recalled. “I would see her taking him out to the park in a stroller. It's a sad case.”
It's a doubly sad case for Ali's parents, Imtiaz, 73, and Safia, 68, who had rushed to Finland on learning about her being hospitalised.
Safia regularly visited Ali and Adam. Ali sent her home to Staffordshire just days before Adam died, insisting that she could cope by herself, said reports.
A neighbour close to the family said Adam's death and their daughter's deteriorating health had already devastated Safia and Imtiaz. And then came the news of Ali’s death.
“Hena [Ali’s middle name] was an incredible young woman,” said the neighbour, who requested anonymity. “She was gorgeous looking and the baby was the same. They did not deserve this terrible thing.”
Other neighbours described the Alis as a “lovely” and “kind family”, who often delivered food to old, needy people on the street.
Before leaving for Finland, Ali’s father Imtiaz had defended her, saying Adam’s death was “accidental”.
“She hasn't admitted to any charges,” he had told the media. “She has been admitted to a hospital in Helsinki. She is an intelligent woman and highly educated. She has one masters degree, one Cambridge degree and one PGCE.”
The UK Foreign Office was “in contact with Finnish authorities” and “providing support to the family of a British woman who has died in custody”.
The investigation has identified Pankaj Lamba as the prime suspect, and Brella’s family in Delhi believe he is in India. (Photo: Northamptonshire Police)
Amrit S Maan OBE JP, an Asian solicitor and businessman has set up a fund in memory of Harshita Brella. (Photo: X/@amritmaanldn)
A protestor is detained by the police during a demonstration against the proposed site of the new Chinese Embassy, outside Royal Mint Court, in London. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso.