Mum murdered at home could be ‘honour killing’ D

women arrested over luton death

A 26-yeAr-old woman was arrested on Tuesday (31) on suspicion of the murder of Saima Khan, a mother-of-four who was found dead in her luton home last week (23).

The suspect was picked up before 9am when officers made the arrest. The woman is currently in police custody.

Khan, 34, died after a stab wound to the neck.

The care worker was found laying on the floor at her home in Overstone Road by her fam- ily after they returned from a night time funeral.

Medical staff who arrived on the scene along with police of- ficers were unable to revive her and she was declared dead around 11.30pm.

Khan had moved to the UK from Holland where she lived with her husband Hafeez, a taxi-driver, and her parents and sister.

Detectives have yet to rule out an “honour killing” as a possible motive and are said to be keeping an open mind.

The area around the house where the incident took place is still cordoned off, with a po- lice tent still in place outside the address.

A statement issued on be- half of Hafeez Rehman, her husband, said: “During this difficult time I would like to make the following statement on the behalf of my family.

“She was a loving mother to four beautiful children, a de- voted wife, a beloved daughter and the most caring of sisters.

“She has been taken from us at the age of 34 and my chil- dren have been deprived of their mother.

“This was a junction in our lives where we intended to watch our children grow, to love them and spend quality time as a family and make memories. We have been left with a gap in our lives and we can only pray that she is rest- ing in peace.

“As everyone can appreciate and understand, the circum- stances have torn our hearts apart. My family and I would like to thank you all for the condolence messages, and support that we have received from family, friends and the local community.”

Officers from Bedfordshire police are still appealing for witnesses and asked for any- one who might have informa- tion to come forward to help with their investigations.

“Even small pieces of infor- mation could be crucial, so I’d ask people in the area to cast their minds back to see if they can remember anything suspi- cious,” said detective chief in- spector Adam Gallop.