Police believe a woman who went missing seven months ago may have been murdered.
Naheed Khan from Thornaby, Teesside, was reported missing on June 12, 2018. However, her family had not seen her three weeks previous to then. The last confirmed sighting was the 3rd of May 2018 in Thornaby. Cleveland police said Mrs Khan had not accessed her bank account or used her mobile phone. There is no evidence of a crime but the police fear the worst for her wellbeing.
Family photo/ Cleveland Police
There is also information to suggest that she may have also been in central Middlesbrough on 4th May, 5th May and 6th May, but this is unconfirmed.
Officers have begun fresh searches of her home and land close to the A174 near Stockton. Detective Chief Superintendent, Jon Green said the police have followed up more than a thousand lines of inquiry and spoken to almost 400 people. They have also taken 130 statements.
Naheed’s mother, Gazala Khan, and her daughter, Amber, joined the police this morning to appeal for information. Here are some of the things that were said:
Jon Green said:
“She not been in touch with family or friends despite the birth of her first grandchild. She has not accessed her bank accounts, used her mobile phone, nor does she have a passport.
“Whilst there is no tangible evidence that a crime has been committed, there is no evidence of her being alive, so in my professional judgement I believe that Nadeed has come to some serious harm. I have therefore classified this case as one of suspected murder.
“Today, officers will be returning to Naheed’s house on Valiant Way, Thornaby. Also officers have initiated searches of two areas – a piece of land adjacent to the A174, the searches will be taking place in the coming hours and members of the public may see activity in the area of the A174 today.”
More than 300 house to house enquiries have now begun near Stockton and Middlesbrough. Officers carried out forensic test at Naheed’s home in Thornaby.
The 43-year-old is described as being of Asian appearance, of slim build and around 5ft 6” tall, with long, dark hair and several tattoos, one being ‘Amber’ on her left wrist. She also has a large mole in the centre of her left wrist.
Mrs Khan’s mother Gazala Khan, said: “Naheed is a loved mother, daughter, sister, aunty and would have been a loving grandmother.
“It is totally out of character for my daughter not to return home no matter what the situation. She comes from a very supportive family where the door is always open.”
Amber Khan, Naheed’s daughter, said: “My mother is my best friend and there is not a day that goes by when I don’t think of her and imagine talking to her and telling her how much I love her.
“I gave birth to my daughter eight months ago and it still does not feel real that my mother is not here and has not met her.
“My mother is funny, kind and beautiful. In the weekends leading up to her disappearance, we would watch Netflix together, laugh our heads off and get takeaways – we did everything together. She was there throughout all of my pregnancy until she went missing.
“She loved me very much and she would have been besotted by her granddaughter. The most supportive person in my life has gone. I love and miss my mother more than words could ever describe.
“I hope people with information find it in their hearts to come forward and give assistance to the police.”
