Worcestershire Woman Buried in Unmarked Grave After Shocking Murder
Zobaidah Salangy, 28, was buried in an unmarked grave near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, in March 2020. Her husband’s two brothers helped with the grim cover-up.
Husband Jailed for Life but Still Denies Killing Wife
Nezam Salangy, 44, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his wife’s murder. But he insists the body found was not Zobaidah’s and claims she is still alive.
His brothers, Mohammed Ramin Salangi, 31, and Mohammed Yasin Salangi, 33, were also convicted for assisting a criminal. They received sentences of six years and nine months each at Worcester Crown Court.
Judge Slams ‘Shameful’ Murder Cover-Up
“Attempts to cover up the murder had been shameful,” Judge Hilliard told the court. “The business owner had considered murdering his wife before the killing.”
“I’m sure you were violent to her, slapping her with an open hand and pulling her hair, causing her to cut it short,” the judge added. “It was clear the relationship had completely failed. I’m sure you intended to murder her.”
A chilling recording found after the murder revealed Salangy ruled out divorce, saying either his wife would die or he would.
Victim’s Family Remember Her Dreams and Kindness
In a victim impact statement, Zobaidah’s family revealed she “loved people of all races and beliefs” and had hoped to start a career in medicine after graduating college under tough conditions in Afghanistan.
“She was taken from us and our human society in a brutal and cruel way,” they said.
From Afghanistan to Britain: A Tragic Tale
Before Brexit, Zobaidah worked as a maths teacher in Afghanistan. She entered an arranged marriage to Nezam Salangy in November 2012 and moved to the UK the following year.
Nezam fled to the UK in 2002 after Taliban threats on his family. He divorced his first wife in 2010 before marrying Zobaidah, a friend of his sister.
Bitter Fight, Disappearance, and Secret Phone
The couple argued bitterly on March 27, 2020, the day before Zobaidah went missing. Police later found her phone hidden in a pizza shop along with a second device used to organise hiding her body.
On March 28, Nezam allegedly killed his wife, then called his brothers for help disposing of the body. Mohammed Ramin travelled over 90 miles pretending to deliver a pizza oven part.
Horrifying Disposal and Police Failures
Zobaidah’s body was bound in curtain wire, wrapped in black bin bags, and buried deep in woodland near Lower Bentley.
Despite a police dig in the area, the body was not found for over six months — the initial search did not dig deep enough.
Salangy tried to throw cops off the scent with fake phone messages and bank activity, claiming Zobaidah had “gone out for a run and never returned,” allegedly leaving him for a new boyfriend.
PTSD and Family Struggles
The younger brothers, both from Caerphilly near Cardiff and veterans of Afghanistan, were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite their sentences, the court acknowledged their mental health issues.
Still Denies Murder Despite Convictions
Nezam Salangy continues to claim the body found near Bromsgrove isn’t his wife’s and maintains that Zobaidah is alive — a claim flatly rejected by the court.
