Authorities say 46-year-old Aleena Asif died of asphyxiation after inhaling a chemical agent later identified as cyanide. Prosecutors allege her estranged husband, 53-year-old Asif Qureshi, entered the home while the children were at school, exposed her to cyanide and left her body to be found. Surveillance footage and matching clothing allegedly linked Qureshi to the scene; he has been charged with second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree burglary and has pleaded not guilty.
Cyanide Identified in Long Island 'House of Horrors' Killing; Estranged Husband Charged
Aleena Asif/Facebook; Nassau County PoliceAleena Asif and Asif Qureshi's family (left); and Asif Qureshi.
Aleena Asif, 46, was found dead in her Long Island home on Oct. 17. The Nassau County Medical Examiner ruled her cause of death as asphyxiation due to the inhalation of a chemical agent, which tests later identified as cyanide, authorities said.
Police responded after a teen daughter reported that Asif had not picked up her youngest child from school. Officers found Asif "lying face up on her bed with red facial burns around her mouth," according to a statement from the Nassau County District Attorney's office.
Allegations and Arrest
Investigators allege that Asif's estranged husband, 53-year-old Asif Qureshi, entered the home while the 14-year-old and 7-year-old were at school (the couple's 18-year-old had already left for college). Prosecutors say Qureshi hid inside the residence, awaited Asif's return, and then held cyanide over her mouth, causing fatal inhalation. Authorities say he left her body inside the home for the children to discover.
Aleena Asif/FacebookAleena Asif.
Evidence and Charges
Surveillance footage played a central role in the investigation. Prosecutors say cameras captured a hooded figure unlocking the front door and entering the house; clothing and accessories visible in that footage were later matched to Qureshi, who was also seen on camera at a nearby convenience store. Based on that and other evidence, Qureshi was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree burglary.
"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.
If convicted, Qureshi faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court in February.
Support Resources
If you are experiencing domestic violence or need help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential; help is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Reporting in this article reflects charges and allegations reported by authorities and does not represent a conviction. The suspect has pleaded not guilty and the case remains pending.
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